Jama’atul Ansar supplies arms for KNF’s training: CTTC

NEWS DESK

The Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime unit of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police on Friday said that the banned militant outfit Jama’atul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya supplied arms and ammunition for the training of the ethnic armed group Kuki-Chin National Front.

CTTC chief Md Asaduzzaman during a press briefing on Friday claimed that their team arrested the main arms supplier of the militant outfit, Abdur Rahim, 32, from Kaliakair in Gazipur during a drive on Wednesday, said a press release.

He said that Rahim was leading a robbery gang that had been carrying out terrorist activities in Ramu and Naikhyangchari.

‘During preliminary interrogation, Rahim said that he hid weapons underground in the dense forest of Naikhyangchari in Bandarban to supply to Jama’atul Ansar,’ he said.

CTTC chief also said that based on Rahim’s information, the CTTC team carried out a drive in a remote area in Naikhyangchari and recovered a foreign pistol, nine locally-made firearms, a bomb, and chemical and other equipment for making improvised explosive devices.

He said that Rahim was accused in a total of 12 cases, filed with the Naikhyangchari and Ramu police, of possessing illegal weapons, robbery, kidnapping, and destruction of forest land.

CTTC chief Md Asaduzzaman said, ‘Head of Jama’atul Ansar Shamin Mahfuz was arrested on June 23 last year. After his arrest, he was interrogated about Sharqiya’s training, and sources of weapons and financing.’

Before his arrest, his close associate, Md Yasin, 40, and arms supplier, Md Kabir Ahmed, 50, were arrested on January 8.

Shamim formed Jama’atul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya under the guise of working with newly converted Muslims in Cox’s Bazar and Bandarban, added CTTC chief Md Asaduzzaman.