Special Response Battalion (SRB) has arrested three more associates of Md Al-Amin, alias “Pichchi” Al-Amin, a listed extortionist and police-listed terrorist operating in the capital’s Rampura area.
Earlier, the same force arrested two of Al-Amin’s associates along with a foreign pistol and bullets.
The SRB said Al-Amin’s ancestral home is in Jhalakathi district, from where he brought people to Dhaka to conduct terrorist activities.
Lieutenant Colonel Fayezul Arefin, commanding officer of SRB-3, disclosed this information at a press briefing held at SRB Media Centre in Karwan Bazar on Sunday.
In response to a query on whether Al-Amin was the leader of a gang, Arefin said Al-Amin’s home is in Jhalakathi. “We have arrested five of his associates. Four of them hail from the same district, and one is from Barguna.”
“Our analysis revealed that Al-Amin brought people of his own kindred, like-minded individuals, or those he deemed suitable from there to Dhaka to conduct terrorist activities,” he added.
Addressing a question regarding whether Al-Amin worked on behalf of anyone or possessed a political identity, Arefin said cases have been found against him under every government since 2011.
“This indicates he is a habitual offender. Whichever party comes to power may take advantage through him, but he himself is endowed with his own notorious traits,” he added.
The commanding officer also mentioned that local residents in Rampura area expressed satisfaction over Al-Amin’s arrest.
Earlier, Wing Commander MZM Intekhab Chowdhury, director of SRB’s Legal and Media Wing, said an operation was conducted on Thursday at 1:30pm in TV Road area under Rampura Police Station, arresting Al-Amin and his two associates, Kamal Uddin and Khairul Islam.
A foreign revolver and 5 rounds of ammunition were recovered from their possession at the time.
He further disclosed that based on information provided by arrested Al-Amin, another drive was carried out at 6pm on the same day in Kunjaban area under Rampura Police Station, arresting two more of his associates – Md Sohag Howlader, alias Mamun, and Md Rifat Islam – along with two local weapons.
Intekhab added that interrogation of the arrested Al-Amin and intelligence inputs revealed that one of his close associates, Md Kawsar Khan, possessed additional illegal firearms.
To verify the truth of this information and take necessary action, Kawsar’s location was identified using information technology, and a raid was conducted at 7:30pm on Saturday in Kunjaban area under Rampura Police Station, leading to his arrest.
Later, based on information provided by Kawsar, a raid was conducted at 8:30pm on the same day inside a tin-shed room belonging to one Shafiq in Bhuiyapara under Khilgaon Police Station.
From there, 1 foreign revolver, 1 foreign pistol, 1 magazine, and 9 rounds of ammunition were recovered.
According to the SRB, the arrested Al-Amin is a named accused in the murder case of terrorist Yasin Khan Palash, alias “Kailla” Palash.
A total of 27 cases, including those under the Explosive Substances Act, murder, and arms cases, are pending against him at Khilgaon, Rampura, Hatirjheel, and Gulshan police stations in Dhaka.
However, no police records or cases were found against the other arrested accused.
Meanwhile, Additional DIG Naimul Hasan, commanding officer of SRB-2, said based on information regarding a large stock of illegal switchgear knives stored at a house in Laboni Point under Keraniganj Model Police Station, an operational team of SRB-2 conducted a special search at the house.
A total of 216 switchgear knives were recovered, comprising 180 Eagle model, 20 Cheetah model, 12 Machhranga model, and 4 Comboard model knives. SM Robin, a hoarder and supplier of the knives, was arrested in connection with the incident.
Arrested SM Robin said he purchased the switchgear knives from a shop in Chawkbazar. When asked whether a raid would be conducted there, the SRB officer confirmed that those behind the supply network would also be arrested.
Regarding the theft of a church bell in Mohammadpur, he said operations are ongoing to apprehend those involved, and further details will be disclosed later.
