5 of a family held over ‘militant link’ in Dhaka

Police conduct a drive at a building at Rupnagar residential area, Mirpur, Dhaka on Saturday. Photo: UNB
Police conduct a drive at a building at Rupnagar residential area, Mirpur, Dhaka on Saturday. Photo: UNB

A special team of Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU) of Bangladesh Police detained five members of a family at Rupnagar in Mirpur, Dhaka following an exchange of gunfire early Saturday for their suspected involvement in militant activities, reports news agency UNB.

Three members of the law enforcement agency and a suspected militant were injured during the exchange of gunfire, police said.

The arrested are Ahmed Ali, 57, his wife Salma Ahmed, 50, their sons Jakaria 35, and Kibria, 30 and daughter Asma Ferdous Dipa, 25.

Police recover a few books, mobile phone sets and knives and other kitchen sharp-edged weapons from a house in Rupnagar residential area, Mirpur, Dhaka on Saturday. Photo: UNB
Police recover a few books, mobile phone sets and knives and other kitchen sharp-edged weapons from a house in Rupnagar residential area, Mirpur, Dhaka on Saturday. Photo: UNB

Mohiduzzaman, superintendent of police, ATU headquarters (Media and PR), said tipped off, a special team of ATU raided a house of the area around 1:30am.

Police knocked the door for a long time but they didn't open it. At one stage, they opened the door and swooped on police with sharp weapon, leaving three cops injured, the SP added.

Jakaria was shot and injured as police opened fire in self-defence, he said.

Bullet-hit Jakaria was admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital while the three injured cops were admitted to Rajarbagh Police Lines Hospital, he added.