Cox's Bazar, June 28 (V7N)- The banned militant organization ‘Ansar Al Islam’ is operating under a different name in Cox’s Bazar. RAB revealed this information after conducting an operation in the Chaufaldandi area, where they arrested three active members of the organization, now operating under the new name As-Shahadat.

During the operation, extremist books, 29 leaflets, a diary, identification cards from two madrasas, two national IDs, two mobile phones, and Tk 4,590 were seized.

The arrests were made jointly by RAB-15 and RAB-7 on the night of Thursday, June 27, 2024. At a press conference held at the RAB-15 office in Cox’s Bazar on Friday, June 28, RAB’s Legal and Media Wing Director Commander Arafat Islam confirmed these details.

The arrested individuals are Md. Zakaria Mondol (19) from Abdul Wahab’s family in Islampur, Jamalpur; Md. Niamat Ullah (21) from Nurul Amin’s family in Borhan Uddin, Bhola; and Md. Ozair (19) from Idris Ali’s family in Sonagazi, Feni.

Commander Arafat Islam stated that based on intelligence from RAB headquarters, RAB-15, and RAB-7, the operation was conducted in Chaufaldandi. The extremist books and other items were recovered during the operation, leading to the arrest of these three individuals.

The detainees were home during the Eid holidays when madrasas were closed. After the holiday, they left home supposedly to return to their madrasa but instead gathered in Cox’s Bazar for secret meetings to discuss organizational activities and policies. They were arrested during one of these meetings.

During initial questioning, the detainees confessed to being active members of the banned militant organization ‘Ansar Al Islam’ and admitted that they were inspired by the rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan to join the Al-Qaeda-inspired group.

Commander Arafat Islam also mentioned that due to regular operations by RAB and other law enforcement agencies, the activities of Ansar Al Islam had nearly ceased. As a result, the organization formed a new group named As-Shahadat to recruit new members and carry out activities under this new name.

This group operates from a neighboring country. The organization has 85 to 100 members, founded by a neighboring country’s citizen named Habibullah and led by an alleged emir named Salahuddin. The regional head of the group in Bangladesh was Ismail Hossain, who was arrested by RAB. Other members are spread across various areas, including Dhaka. They are influenced by extremist leaders online and join the organization through existing members.

RAB's Legal and Media Wing Director Commander Arafat Islam further explained that their primary goal is to establish an Islamic caliphate in Bangladesh. They instill hatred for the country’s judicial and governance systems through misinformation, aiming to establish an Islamic state by misleading people about the oppression of Muslims worldwide and religious misinterpretations.

To achieve this, the organization distributes various extremist books and videos of speeches by extremist leaders through WhatsApp groups, Telegram, and other platforms. They also conduct secret meetings in religious establishments, homes, and other locations. To maintain secrecy, they use encrypted apps for communication and follow instructions through these apps.

According to RAB, the detainees revealed during interrogation that recent law enforcement operations had led to the arrest of many key members. Therefore, to revive the organization, they began recruiting new members, primarily targeting young adolescents. They brainwash and mislead these impressionable teens, most of whom are 19-20 years old, and include madrasa students and teachers. They also attract radical-minded individuals educated in general academics by leveraging anti-national sentiments.

Madrasa teachers within the organization skillfully inspire young madrasa students. The group provides physical training to its members and maintains regular communication with like-minded individuals from other countries via social media, where they frequent various extremist groups.

RAB Director stated that Zakaria is a student at a madrasa in Fulbari, Mymensingh. He was introduced to the group’s emir Salahuddin and Ismail from Bangladesh through social media a year ago. Through these connections, Zakaria was radicalized and joined the group, eventually taking responsibility for the da'wah activities in Mymensingh and Jamalpur regions for the As-Shahadat group.

Niamat and Ozair are students at a madrasa in Patiya, Chittagong. They were introduced to a militant leader through a social media group and subsequently joined Ansar Al Islam, engaging in da'wah activities in their madrasa and other areas.

A case has been filed, and the detainees have been handed over to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Police Station, as stated by the RAB official.

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