Hossain Ali, alias Picchi Hossain and Boma Hossain, a wanted terror suspect accused of spreading fear through bomb attacks and extortion in Gangni, has been arrested in Nangalkot, Cumilla, after years in hiding.
Police said Hossain was behind a string of bomb explosions and the planting of mysterious bomb-like objects in different parts of Gangni in Meherpur, earning him notoriety among local businessmen and residents.
A team from Gangni Police Station tracked him down through technological surveillance and arrested him during a raid in Nangalkot at dawn on Thursday.
Police said Hossain disclosed information during questioning that led officers to raid his home in Purbo Malsadah village under Gangni municipality at around 2am on Saturday, 22 August.
Two bomb-like objects were recovered from the house during the raid.
Police said the allegations against Hossain extend beyond bomb-related incidents. He faces two murder cases and seven General Register (GR) warrants.
He is also accused of demanding extortion money from local businessmen. Police alleged that those who refused or were unable to pay were targeted with bomb attacks on their homes or intimidated by bomb-like objects being left outside their residences.
Gangni Police Station Officer-in-Charge Muhaddid Murshed Chowdhury said the anti-terror drive would continue and that police would now focus on tracing and arresting Hossain’s alleged accomplices.
Md Hossain Ali, 50, is the son of Ohil Uddin of Purbo Malsadah village in Gangni.
Local sources said he left the area around eight years ago and had since remained in hiding in different parts of the country.
