Sylhet, Nov 11 (V7N) — Police have arrested five individuals in Fenchuganj for allegedly plotting acts of sabotage, including plans to damage rail infrastructure and carry out explosive attacks at key installations ahead of the November 13 lockdown.

Fenchuganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Moniruzzaman Khan revealed the details during a press briefing on Tuesday afternoon. Acting on intelligence, police set up a checkpoint on the Sylhet–Moulvibazar regional highway late Monday night and arrested Kabilur Rahman Sohel (24), joint convener of the banned organization Fenchuganj Upazila Chhatra League. He is the son of Zillur Rahman from Hatubhanga village.

Following Sohel’s interrogation, police conducted further raids and detained four others along with materials used for making improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The arrestees were identified as Muhibul Islam Kawser (27), son of Abdul Khalek from Kayestagram; Saimon Ahmed (20), son of the late Anwar Hossain from Purba Faridpur; Sijil Chowdhury (28), son of Farid Chowdhury from Barogao village under Bahubal Police Station; and Minhaj Uddin Mahin (20), son of Mahtab Uddin from Paschim Faridpur.

OC Moniruzzaman said the group had planned to carry out coordinated sabotage attacks at several key points in Fenchuganj, including Maijgaon Railway Station, Fenchuganj Upazila Parishad, South Surma Upazila Parishad, Fenchuganj Fertilizer Factory, and Fenchuganj Toll Plaza. Their objective was to create large-scale destruction by removing railway sleepers and triggering explosions.

During the operation, police recovered several items used in making explosives, including white and red adhesive tape, metal tops, 305 marbles, four small buckets, and a sack of rice husk.

Interrogation of the prime suspect, Sohel, revealed that the plot was allegedly orchestrated under the direction and financial support of expatriate Mahmudur Rahman, a resident of Sultanpur village and the General Secretary of the New York Jubo League.

A case has been filed under the Special Powers Act (Case No. 04, dated November 11, 2025) in connection with the incident.

In response to reporters’ questions, OC Moniruzzaman said that the identities of other suspects are being withheld for the sake of the ongoing investigation. He confirmed that security and intelligence surveillance have been heightened across the entire Fenchuganj area.

“Our teams are on the ground 24 hours a day to prevent any attempt at sabotage,” the OC stated. “We urge citizens to immediately report any suspicious activity to the Fenchuganj Police Station or the national emergency helpline 999.”

Police have pledged to maintain intensified patrols and ensure the safety of all vital installations within the upazila.

END/RIM/SMA/