Anti-Terrorism Unit arrests two 'ABT men' from Dhaka, Noakhali

Members of the Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU) arrested two alleged members of banned militant outfit Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) with leaflets, Jihadi books, a laptop and a mobile phone in separate drives in Noakhali and Dhaka on Thursday.

The arrestees are Mehedi Hasan Joy, 21, son of Mosharraf Hossain of Ramganj upazila in Laksmipur, and Shahjahan Hossain alias Emon, 19, son of Didar Hossain of Chatkhil upazila in Noakhali, reports news agency UNB.

On information, a unit of ATU arrested Mehedi from Chatkhil at 10:30pm on Wednesday and Shahjahan from the capital’s Shyamoli at 3:00pm on Thursday, said a press release from ATU.

The arrestees, who were acquaintances, confessed to their involvement in publicising extremism on social media and distributing leaflets, the ATU release said.

They also admitted gathering in groups in different places and planning to establish a local chapter of Ghazwat-ul-Hind, Al Qaeda’s mothership for the Indian subcontinent.

Law enforcers were preparing to file cases against them under Anti-Terrorism Act-2009 at Chatkhil police station in Noakhali.