The Detective Branch (DB) under Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has apprehended four individuals associated with the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a Pakistani militant group. A Dhaka court has granted a four-day remand for questioning to all four suspects. The arrested individuals are Md Imran Chowdhury, 29 years old; Md Mostakim Chowdhury, 25 years old; Ripon Hossain Sheikh, 28 years old; and Abu Bakar, 25 years old. Notably, Imran and Mostakim are siblings.
The DB carried out raids across different areas in Dhaka, leading to the arrest of these individuals. The operations resulted in the confiscation of firearms, ammunition, explosives, and a drone. According to sources within the DB, the suspects are associated with an extremist group named “ARSA,” aligned with the ideologies of TTP.
Contrary to initial perceptions, the ARSA, known as the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army, is distinct from the Rohingya militant organization. The DB chief, Shafiqul Islam, clarified that the arrested individuals are not connected to the Rohingya group but are part of a new entity associated with TTP.
Following the arrests, law enforcement filed charges against the suspects under the Anti-Terrorism Act at Kamrangirchar Police Station. Subsequently, the accused were presented before the court with a request for a seven-day remand. Magistrate Aminul Islam Junaed of Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court granted a four-day remand for interrogation after a hearing.
The case details revealed that Imran was apprehended from a residence near Tara Mosque in Kamrangirchar, while Mostakim was arrested from Jianagar in Keraniganj. Ripon and Abu Bakar were captured during a raid in Kamrangirchar. Various items seized during the operations included a foreign-made pistol, a one-shot gun, ammunition, smartphones, a metal detector, a drone with related equipment, military uniform materials, and literature promoting jihadi ideology.
The first information report (FIR) highlighted that the suspects aimed to obstruct the government’s operations and cause public alarm through the gathered equipment.