Should we take what police say at face value? The answer would hardly be in the affirmative anymore, especially after what has unfolded since Sunday's police briefing on a “shootout” victim they introduced as Sharif.

Police yesterday claimed to have arrested an alleged operative of banned militant outfit Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) who they said directly took part in the murder attempt on publisher Ahmedur Rashid Tutul last year.