A police raid has commenced at a four-story building at Borpa area under Rupganj upazila in
Narayanganj on Tuesday, suspecting it to be a
militants' hideout.
The police have identified the hideout as belonging to the banned militant group Ansar Al Islam.
The specialized Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU) and SWAT team initiated the raid, led by ATU Superintendent of Police (Operations) Mohammad Sanowar Hossain, at 1:30pm on Tuesday. Members of ATU, SWAT, and Rupganj police were present at the scene.
Before the operation, Mohammad Sanowar Hossain informed the media that they believe one or more militant members might be inside the building, owned by expatriate Zakir Hossain from Saudi Arabia.
Based on information, obtained during a raid on a militant hideout in a two-story house at Kailati union in Netrakona Sadar Upazila on June 8th and 9th, they arrested a female militant from Cox's Bazar on Monday and this led to the identification of the four-story building, he said.
The ATU surrounded the building from 10:30am on Tuesday, suspecting that multiple militants, including a bomb expert, might be inside, he said.
Sanowar Hossain further said that all residents of the building have been safely evacuated before the operation and the building's gas and electricity connections have been cut off.
It is still unknown in which room the militants are hiding, he said.
Md. Shahnewaz, a tenant on the ground floor, said,"In the morning, the police suddenly surrounded the building. Later, We learned that there were militants in the building."
MSM/SA
