Rab
RAB informant stabbed in S Keraniganj dies at DMCH
A 30-year-old man, who was stabbed by unknown assailants eight days earlier, succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment at a hospital in the capital on Sunday.
Md Amin Hossain Asif, son of late Ali Ershad of Chandina upazila in Cumilla, used to work as an informant for RAB and police.
His brother Rafiqul Islam said unidentified assailants stabbed Asif near the Army Camp in South Keraniganj around 9pm on December 3, leaving him critically injured.
Read more: Teen stabbed dead in Bagerhat
On information, the family members rushed him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital where he had been undergoing treatment.
But Asif succumbed to his injuries around 10pm on Sunday, the brother said.
Inspector Bachhu Mia, in-charge of DMCH police camp, said the body was sent to the hospital’s morgue for postmortem.
Read more: Patuakhali HSC examinee stabbed in front of test centre
Law enforcers can’t avoid responsibility over militants’ escape: Rab
Law enforcement agencies certainly cannot avoid their responsibility in the escape of two convicted militants from police custody, Commander Khandaker Al Moin, director of Rab’s legal and media wing, said on Monday.
The Rab commander said this while responding to questions from reporters at the Rab media centre in Dhaka’s Karwan Bazar.
Read: Militants flee Dhaka Court: Red Alert issued, says Home Minister
It would have been possible for the law enforcers to take action or prevent the escape if they had received information from the intelligence agencies earlier. “That’s why law enforcers cannot avoid responsibility.”
Asked whether the two militants have already left the country, Moin said that he cannot say anything about that right now.
“We are examining the CCTV footage of their movement at various places,” he added.
Read: Police announce Tk 10 lakh for each death row convict who fled a Dhaka court today
On November 20, two members of the banned militant outfit Ansar-al Islam – Abu Siddique Sohel and Moinul Hasan Shamim – who were sentenced to death in publisher Faisal Arefin Dipan's murder case, were whisked away from police custody at Dhaka Chief Judicial Magistrate court arena.
They also tried to snatch two other accused, Arafat and Sabur, but failed. Police filed a case against 20 people in this connection.
Rab ready to tackle ‘any situation’ arising over BNP’s Dec 10 Dhaka rally
Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) is ready to tackle any situation that may arise over BNP’s December 10 rally in Dhaka, Commander Khandaker Al Moin, director of the elite force’s legal and media wing, said today (December 05, 2022).
Bomb disposal unit of Rab, special force, special dog squad, and helicopter unit are on alert centering the rally, while Rab intelligence team – in plainclothes – will also be deployed to prevent any untoward incident, he said while speaking at a press briefing held at Rab’s Karwan Bazar media office.
Responding to a question on the security preparation of the elite force, Commander Moin said, “A stable situation is prevailing in the country at the moment. The government and political parties are conducting their political activities, and Rab has generally gained confidence in arresting criminals, drug dealers, those possessing illegal weapons and those against whom warrants have been issued.”
Also read: People are afraid of BNP’s Dec 10 rally: Obaidul Quader
Besides, there will be a routine patrol team, check-posts and Intelligence surveillance centering BNP’s Dhaka rally, so that any kind of sabotage attempt can be prevented.
On September 27, BNP announced a series of public rallies in 10 divisional cities. The party will conclude the divisional programmes by holding its last rally in Dhaka on December 10.
BNP has long been demanding that the next general election be held under a caretaker government, not under any political government – a demand outright rejected by the ruling Awami League as the constitution does not contain any such provision.
Also read; BNP won't be allowed to orchestrate violence surrounding December 10 rally: Quader.
We don't expect US to impose more sanctions: Shahriar
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam on Sunday said Bangladesh does not expect the US to impose more sanctions considering the growing engagements between the two countries.
"We continuously remain engaged. We have enhanced our engagements and shared relevant information. We don't expect that the US administration will impose new sanctions," he told the media at his office in Dhaka.
In December 2021, the US imposed human rights-related sanctions on Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) and seven former and current officials of the agency, including recently retired Inspector General of Police Benzir Ahmed, also a former director general of the paramilitary force.
The state minister said it is very unfortunate that the opposition party BNP is spending too much money on lobbyists to see more US sanctions against Bangladesh.
He said the party has chosen December 10 as part of its plan and is putting in efforts against the country.
On September 27, the BNP announced a series of public rallies in 10 divisional cities. The party will end its divisional programmes by holding its last rally in Dhaka on December 10.
Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10 December – the day the United Nations General Assembly adopted in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
"The BNP is conspiring against the country by calling for a rally in Dhaka on International Human Rights Day," Shahriar said.
"On the advice of foreign lobbyists, the BNP has called for the rally on December 10. However, their attempt to bring in new sanctions against Bangladesh will not work," he added.
The 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights will be celebrated on December 10, 2023.
Ahead of the milestone, starting on this year's Human Rights Day on December 10, the UN will launch a year-long campaign to showcase the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by focusing on its legacy, relevance and activism.
7 hackers held in Natore for swindling expatriate out of Tk1.2 lakh
Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) claimed to have detained seven hackers early Friday for tricking an expatriate Bangladeshi into sending them Tk1.2 lakh.
The detainees Md Belal, Mehedi Hasan, Md Shimul, Md Mohan, Shah Poran, Md Robi and Md Rubel hacked into expatriate Wasim's account on audio/video calling and instant messaging app imo, Farhad Hossain, RAB-5 Natore camp company commander, said.
Read more: Bank Account Hacking Protection: How to save financial accounts from hackers?
Based on a complaint filed by Wasim's brother Monirul Islam, Rab conducted a drive across Natore's Lalpur upazila and detained the hackers.
Rab also recovered Tk15,500 and electronic devices from the hackers, Farhad said.
"We've lodged a case against the hackers and handed them over to Lalpur Police Station," he added.
Read more: Somoy TV regains control of YouTube channel after it got hacked
DGFI officer shot dead during anti-drugs drive at Tombru border: ISPR
An officer of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) was shot dead and a Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) personnel was wounded while conducting a drive against drug smugglers at the Tombru border in Bandarban on Monday (November 14, 2022) night.
ISPR confirmed the information through a press release early today (November 15, 2022).
Gunshots were exchanged between the drug smugglers and the joint team of Rab and DGFI at the Tombru border with Myanmar, under the Ghumdhum union, which left the DGFI personnel dead and a Rab member injured, the press release said.
Read more: BGB-BGP flag meeting ends with Myanmar officially regretting border incidents
ISPR, however, did not reveal the names of the DGFI and Rab personnel yet.
Meanwhile, Sub-inspector Ripon Chowdhury, appointed at Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital, told the UNB correspondent that a Rab member was brought to the hospital around 10 pm with critical injury after being shot at the border during a drive.
Assistant Sub-inspector of Naikhongchhari police station Joydeb said they were informed about firing at Konarpara area near the border but don’t have information about who was involved.
Read more: Panic in Ghumdhum as Myanmar army engages insurgents close to border
Some locals claimed Myanmar insurgent group Al Yaqin members shot at a team of Rab-15 members at zero point of Bandarban's Tombru border around 7 pm last night while they were conducting a drive.
US sanctions on RAB made BNP fearless in anti-government protests: Fakhrul
The US sanctions on RAB and the international community’s voice against human rights violations in Bangladesh have helped rejuvenate the BNP rank and file to take to the streets fearlessly, as reflected in its recent rallies, according to the opposition party’s secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
He also said that the law enforcement forces are not as aggressive towards the BNP's programs as they were in the past because it is a universal practice that civil and military bureaucrats do not stand against the people when they put up resistance with just demands.
In an interview with UNB this week, Fakhrul talked about many other issues, including BNP’s plans for the simultaneous movement, the Dhaka rally on December 10, the Election Commission, the next general election, the proposed national government, and its relations with Jamaat and India. This is the first part of the interview.
Read more: Huge crowds in BNP rally mean they want democracy back, says Mirza Fakhrul
“When the government was continuing all misdeeds at an unstoppable pace without facing any resistance and a loud voice from inside and outside the country, the US sanctions on RAB naturally instilled new hope in the democracy-loving people of Bangladesh. It has also inspired BNP,” he said.
The BNP leader also said their party leaders and activists got a message through the sanctions that the democracy-loving international community would no longer accept such activities, especially the incidents of human rights violations.
“The US in its reports was voicing concerns over Bangladesh’s human rights situation for several years. But this time they not only raised their voices against human rights violations, but also they acted (through the sanctions). It’s undoubtedly encouraged us greatly. On the other hand, the visit of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michele Bachelet to Bangladesh and her subsequent statements on the issue definitely inspired us,” he observed.
Read more: BNP MPs ready to resign; Govt must go for credible election: Fakhrul
Anti-militancy drive in hills: 7 Jama'atul Ansar members, 3 separatists held
Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) claimed to have arrested seven members of new militant outfit Jama'atul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya and three of a separatist organisation from Bandarban and Rangamati Thursday night.
During the operation by RAB against suspected militants in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), a large number of weapons and ammunition were also seized, ASP Imran Khan of RAB Headquarters (media wing), said.
On October 17, the government announced a ban on tourists travelling to the country's mountainous region bordering India and Myanmar after launching the anti-militancy operation of RAB and Bangladesh Army.
Read: Temporary ban on tourism at Rowangchhari and Ruma to fight ‘militants and criminals’
Multiple separatist groups in the CHT may have been harbouring members of Jama'atul Ansar and allowing them to use the area to train recruits.
RAB said this on October 10 after arresting 12 suspected members of the new militant outfit, formed by former members of banned Islamist groups Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh, Harkat-ul Jihad al-Islami Bangladesh and Ansar Al Islam.
13 muggers held in Dhaka
Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) has detained 13muggers gang from different areas of the capital.
A team of Rab-3 detained the muggers after conducting simultaneous drives in Shahjahanpur, Motijheel and Paltan areas on Tuesday night, said Commanding Officer of RAB-3, Lt Col Arif Mohiuddin Ahmed.
The elite force also seized sharp weapons and a mobile phone from their possession.
During primary questioning, the alleged gang members said they used to mug people in these areas brandishing sharp weapons.
Legal steps have been taken against the detainees, the officer added.
5 arrested by RAB, inc. three youths who left home for militancy
Five men, including three youths, who apparently left home to join militant groups have been arrested by the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) from the capital's Jatrabari and Keraniganj.
Commander Khandaker Al Moin, director of Rab’s Legal and Media Wing, also revealed in a briefing Monday that they have identified a total of 55 reportedly missing from different districts, who were suspected to leave home to join militant groups.
Of the five arrested today, two are relatively senior, working with the group as a host and fund supplier of the militant group, he said.
Read: 4 youths, among 7 arrested, members of new militant group: Rab
The arrestees were identified as militant group member Shah Md Habibullah, 32, Neyamat Ullah, 43, from Cumilla and missing youths Saiful Islam, 19, from Noakhali, Md Hossain,22, and Rakib Hasnat Niloy, 28 from Dhaka.
They were all arrested on Sunday night along with leaflets, books of extremist messages from the city’s Jatrabari and Keraniganj area during a drive, said the Rab commander..
On August 23, eight youths from Cumilla sadar upazila went missing and a general diary was lodged with police in this regard after two days. The incident sparked a huge sensation across media and social media and Rab started a detective investigation to rescue the victims and arrest the accused.
On September 1, one of the missing youths, Shartaz Islam Niloy, 22, returned home.
On October 6, Rab arrested seven people including four missing youths for involvement with a militant group from a drive conducted in Munshiganj, Naryanganj and Mymensingh following the information collected from questioning Niloy.
On interrogation, the arrestees revealed that initially the members of the organization used to target youths from different parts of the country, including Cumilla.
Read: Rab arrests 7 including 4 with suspected ties to radical groups
Later they incited the youths with extremism by showing different videos of persecution of Muslims and encouraged them to get separated from their families to prepare for armed attacks.
Arrested Hossain left home a year ago, Saiful one and a half months ago Rakib disappeared two months ago from his home.
Rab Commander Khandaker Al Moin said the missing youths were sent to various areas including Patuakhali and Bhola for training in armed attacks.
The youths were kept in different safe houses under the supervision of different persons in Patuakhali area and provided various training on physical exercise and militancy in different Char areas of Patuakhali and Bhola.
Also, as a strategy to stay under cover, they were given technical training in various fields like masons, painters, electricians.