JMB bomb-making den uncovered with rented house under false identity in Savar

Law enforcement agencies claim that the banned militant outfit Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) was operating a bomb-making cell in Savar, Dhaka, after renting a house under false identities. Following the recovery of 15 pipe bombs, various chemicals, and bomb-making equipment from the residence, a JMB operative named Arif was arrested.

The Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit launched the operation in the South Shyampur area of Tetuljhora union in Savar on Tuesday evening (August 11).

Prior to the raid, Arif was detained from the Hemayetpur area along with a bag. Upon searching the bag, authorities recovered six specially concealed pipe bombs and various chemical components.

Later, law enforcement obtained information about a house in South Shyampur by interrogating Arif. Based on that information, a raid on the residence led to the recovery of nine more pipe bombs, gunpowder, cyanide, and various bomb-making materials. The bomb disposal unit subsequently neutralized all 15 recovered pipe bombs.

Locals reported that a family had rented a ground-floor room from house owner Abdul Jalil on August 2 of this month, moving in the very next day. The owner's family claimed that the tenants had concealed their true identities while securing the rental.

Ilma, the daughter of the house owner, stated that a man named Abbas Ali and another individual initially came to rent the apartment, claiming they were a married couple with a family. They said one of them worked as a driver and that their children would study at a local school.

Since they mentioned living with a family, the owner did not suspect anything. The discovery of a vast quantity of explosives from that house a few days later has sparked widespread panic among locals.

According to a source in law enforcement, an individual known as "Bomaru Mamun" also frequented the hideout. Preliminary information suggests that this person, known for expertise in bomb-making, supervised the manufacturing process there, though investigations into his involvement and identity are ongoing.

Savar Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Saiful Alam stated that the entire area was brought under security during the operation, and the bomb disposal unit neutralized the recovered explosives. JMB da'wah and organizational leaflets were also seized from the arrested suspect, Arif.

Law enforcement agencies are currently investigating the specific objective behind the bomb-making activities at the apartment, the origin of the explosives and chemical components, and the identities of any other individuals involved.