by Tarek Mahmud in Dhaka Tribune, June 4, 2017
Ayub Bacchu, the incumbent ameer of New JMB, escaped arrest by a hair when a police team raided his safe house.
On May 27, the Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crimes (CTTC) unit of police raided two houses in Genda, Savar.
CTTC chief Monirul Islam said: “Ayub was living with his family at the Genda safehouse in Savar. He fled with them just before the raid.”
The CTTC said Ayub studied at a private university in Dhaka after passing HSC exams from a reputed college. He became affiliated with New JMB at the university, and dropped out.
Ayub Bachchu rose to the top of New JMB after his predecessors Sarwar Jahan, Tamim Chowdhury and Monirul Islam Musa were all killed in anti-militancy operations in the last one year. According to the CTTC, there may be 12-14 more militants active in Savar.
CTTC chief Monirul said Ayub Bachchu is an alias used by the new leader. The CTTC is working to track him down based on a picture they have of him.
Two other militants who were staying with him also fled, but were arrested by the CTTC over the weekend.
On Sunday, CTTC announced they arrested three members of New JMB.
The three militants are affiliated with Ayub Bachchu’s faction.
Two of the militants were arrested from Savar and another from Lakshmipur.
Monirul Islam confirmed the arrests at a press conference at DMP Media Centre on Sunday.
“A CTTC team assisted by police arrested two JMB men from Savar and another from Lakshmipur district in a two-day raid that lasted till Sunday morning,” he said.
Monir Hossain alias Sumon, 28, and Towhidul Islam, 35, were arrested from Savar, and Kamal Hossain, 35, from Lakshmipur.
During the primary interrogation, all three confessed that they were directly given instructions by Ayub Bachchu.
Kamal was assigned by Ayub to raise funds for New JMB. He was assisted by a relative, Hasan, who set him up as a worker at a cosmetics factory. CTTC says they are looking for Hasan who has gone into hiding.
A case was filed against them with the Savar police station on Sunday.
The raid at the Savar den produced seven grenades, three suicide vests and a large cache of explosive manufacturing components.
A woman and two children were found at the house, but their identities or connection to the militants has not been revealed yet. Monir and Towhidul also lived in the house. www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/crime/2017/06/04/3-new-jmb-men-held/
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