Rab claims to have arrested 4 militants

Rab claimed to have arrested four members of the banned militant group Ansar al Islam from Dhaka city and Sherpur district yesterday.

Three of them were identified as Abdul Wahab alias Hamza bin Muttalib, 30; his wife Jhumur Khatun, 18; and Belal Hossain, 22 while the fourth is a 17-year-old boy.

They were arrested during separate drives conducted based on information given by five Ansar al Islam men arrested on January 23, Mozammel Haque, commanding officer of Rab-4, told The Daily Star.

In primary interrogation, the arrestees said they are active members of the group, he added.

Wahab, a graduate from a university, went abroad for higher study but returned home later on and joined a private firm. He used to communicate with fellow militants, the CO said.

Jhumur, a student, used to collect fund and recruit fresh operatives. She recently stopped communication with her family and married Wahab five months back. They were preparing to move to a Middle Eastern country, Rab officials said.

Belal, a private service holder in Paltan area, used to circulate extremism provoking material online while the 17 year old used to recruit fresh operatives, Rab said.