Dhaka Bureau: The Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) Unit of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has arrested Abdur Rahim, the main arms supplier of Jamaatul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya. A large amount of weapons and explosives have been seized at this time. This information was given at a press conference at the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) media center on Minto Road in the capital on Friday, May 17.
DMP Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) Unit Chief and Additional Commissioner (CTTC) Md. Asaduzzaman said that Abdur Rahim was arrested on the basis of intelligence information on Wednesday (May 15) in the area of Kalikakair police station in Gazipur district. According to the information provided by him, CTTC has seized a large quantity of arms and explosives. At the time of arrest, 1 foreign pistol, 4 indigenous guns, 3 indigenous ammunition-loaded guns, 1 indigenous one-shooter gun, 1 indigenous sharp weapon, 16 bullets, 11 cartridges, 24 shotgun shells, 2 binoculars, 1 gas mask, 1 charger light, 1 rechargeable battery, 2 walkie-talkies and chargers, 6 liters of acid-like liquid, 60 feet of electric cable, 1 mobile signal booster, 1 antenna with wire, 1 hammer, 1 saw, 1 hacksaw blade, 4 bulbs, 4 electric holders, blue plastic 2 drums and 1 treble were seized. Abdur Rahim was leading the Rahim Dacoit group around 2019 and was carrying out terrorist activities in the Ramu and Naikshyongchari areas.
He said that Rahim used to supply arms and ammunition to Jamaatul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya. He is the main arms supplier for the militant organization. After his arrest, he told a preliminary interrogation that Jamaat-ul-Ansar Phil Hindal hid weapons and ammunition underground in drums in the forest of Naikshyongchari in Bandarban district to supply them to Sharqiya. Later, raids were conducted, and a large quantity of weapons and explosives were seized in the dense forest on the hill slopes of the Chagal Khaiya area of the Nikshyongchari police station. Abdur Rahim had earlier supplied arms and ammunition to other militant groups several times. A training camp for Jamatul Ansar Phil Hindal Sharqiya can be found in the mountainous region. After this, Abdur Rahim supplied arms to the militant organization several times when the operation of the joint forces started. More weapons were to be delivered later. That’s why he collected some weapons. Along with him, raids were carried out in the barren forests of Naikshyongchari, and a large number of weapons were seized. Sharqiya members were trained in making improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the training camps. It used different types of chemicals. Rahim was supposed to supply those chemicals. He procured mobile network boosters for supply to militant organizations.
Md. Asaduzzaman also said that Abdur Rahim had been collecting weapons since Jamatul Ansar Phil Hindal Sharqiya chief Shamin Mahfuz started the organization’s training camp in the hills. The weapons supplier, who was arrested earlier with him, Kabir Ahmed was in touch. Kabir offers Rahim to work for the organization. Rahim agrees to his proposal and works to recruit members of the organization, besides supplying weapons. Shamin Mahfuz was arrested on June 23, 2023. After his arrest, Sharqiya’s training, source of weapons, and financing were extensively interrogated. Before the arrest of Shamin Mahfuz, his close associate, Yashin (40), and the arms supplier from Bandarban. Kabir Ahmed (50) was arrested on January 8, 2023. During interrogation, they said that along with Kuki Chin, locals Kabir Ahmed and Abdur Rahim Sharqiya were provided arms and ammunition in exchange for money for their military training. Shamin formed an organization called Jamatul Ansar Phil Hindal Sharqiya under the guise of working with new Muslims in Cox’s Bazar and Bandarban areas. While working with the new Muslims, the local arms supplier. He invited Kabir Ahmed and Abdur Rahim to join the organization. Md. Kabir Ahmed and Abdur Rahim agreed to work for the organization and expressed interest in supplying arms and ammunition. I got the list of everyone who participated in the mountain training. Almost everyone on the list has been arrested. I have also received the names of those who have been invited for the training.
In response to a question, Asaduzzaman said that whether there is any network of Shamin Mahfuz in the country or not, they will be questioned. We feel that there is no one to lead the organization now. We have arrested all the top leaders of this organization. We do not have any information to reorganize.
