HindustanTimes.com

Saturday, August 16, 2003

19 Islamic militants arrested in Bangladesh

Press Trust of India
Dhaka, August 16

At least 19 suspected activists of a banned Islamic militant group were
arrested by police in Bangladesh on Friday after an hour-long shootout in
which seven policemen and 10 ultras were also injured.

The gun-fight started after police raided the house of a Jamaat-e-Islami
(JI) leader at Uttar Mahespur village in Joypurhat district. The police
raided after a tip-off that more than 100 members of the banned
Jamaat-ul-Mujahidin were holding a meeting there, media reports said on
Saturday.

JI is a partner of the Khaleda Zia-led four party alliance government.
The Daily Star reported that the ultras looted three shotguns and sixty
bullets from the policemen. While 19 of the militants were arrested, most
managed to escape.

Police recovered leaflets, books, travel bags, mobile phones and first aid
boxes from the house of Montezar Rahman. However, the JI denied any links
with the militants.

The Jamaat-ul-Mujahidin was banned early this year after it held rallies and
distributed leaflets vowing to establish Taliban-style rule in Bangladesh.

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