‘Neo-JMB fundraiser’ arrested in capital

He was trying to increase the strength of "Neo-JMB" and carry out subversive activities after collecting funds from different foreign nationals.

For this purpose, he contacted members of IS-inspired militant outfits in the Philippines, Indonesia, United Kingdom, France, and Afghanistan using different online platforms. He also has records of financial transactions with some foreign nationals returning from Syria.

The Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime unit yesterday claimed they learned this information following the arrest of militant suspect Sibbir Ahmed, 22. CTTC officials said he was running his activities staying in the capital's Sabujbagh area.

A counterterrorism team arrested him from the area around 5:00pm on Thursday, CTTC Deputy Commissioner Saiful Islam told The Daily Star yesterday.

The CTTC team claimed to have recovered a cell phone, five "Jihadi" books and a bank deposit receipt book from the arrestee's possession.

Completing Dakhil exams from Saydia Dakhil Madrasa in the city's Basabo area in 2017, Sibbir was employed as imam at different mosques. But in reality, he was engaged in militant activities, claimed CTTC officials.

The officials also claimed he was involved with "Neo-JMB" since its birth and used to work as an organiser of the militant outfit's media wing.

He had a very close relation with "Neo-JMB" chief Maynul Islam alias Musa, who is believed to have been killed in a drive on a militant hideout in Sylhet in 2017.

After Musa's death, Sibbir slowed down but he became active again in 2018. He used internet to maintain communications with operatives of different militant outfits abroad, claimed the officials.

A case was filed against Sibbir with Sabujbagh Police Station, said a CTTC official.

DC Saiful said they already gleaned some information from the arrestee and were trying to verify those. "We're also trying to arrest his cohorts," he said.