Hunt for 9 hardcore JMB militants in Kushtia

A red alert was declared in Kushtia two days ago after intelligence reports said Islamist militants could launch fresh attacks in key installations and at public places.

Police threw a security net on key installations on Saturday.

Different installations including government and NGO offices, power stations, telephone exchanges, court buildings, mosques, pagodas, temples and educational institutions are still under security guard.

Kushtia Police Superintendent Masud-ul-Hasan said they are on a 'red alert'.

According to sources in intelligence agencies, JMB (Jamaatul Mujahidin Bangladesh) is well organised and has good networks in some in Daulatpur, Bheramara and Khoksa upazilas and in some other areas.

They were active in Natnapara, Gorbari, Goalgaram and Daerpara in Daulatpur upazila; Mirzapur, Chakhoripur and Gopgram in Khoksa and Bahadurpur and Bheramara towns in Bheramara upazila, sources said.

Three JMB activists including a 'regional leader' were arrested in Kushtia recently. They are Shamsul Alam, Akbar and Nizam.

Shamsul was directly involved in the August 17 bomb explosions in Kushtia. He was arrested soon after the explosions.

Quoting from his confession, police earlier said Shamsul had been organising JMB in the district for the last three years. He also named nine key leaders of JMB who were active in the district. But police could not arrest any of them.

Some sources claimed that JMB has at least 50,000 followers in the district.

"Police have launched a manhunt for the nine Islamist militant leaders," the SP said.