Bangla Bhai among 7 JMJB militants arrested

Dhaka, Mar 6 (UNI) Islamic outfit Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh (JMJB) supremo Siddiq-ul Islam popularly known as "Bangla Bhai" and his six followers were arrested today at Muktagaccha in northern Mymensingh district, 135 kms from here, security sources said.

"Bangla Bhai", who is also the chief of Jamaat-ul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) military wing, was nabbed at 0715 hrs (local time), UNB news agency said. Two people including a Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) intelligence officer and a militant were injured during the encounter.

The security sources said RAB conducted a raid early today to a house where JMJB chief, his wife and five other militants were staying. The RAB members first arrested Bangla Bhai's wife at 0500 hrs (local time) when she came out for morning prayer.

At least two people were also injured during a brief gunfight.

Bangla Bhai was responsible for staging synchronised bomb blasts since August 17 for establishing Islamic rule in Bangladesh. His arrest came within five days of the arrest of JMB chief Shaikh Abdur Rahman from Sylhet on March 2.

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