3 killed in C’nawabganj ‘militant den’ raid

Three suspected militants were killed during a raid in a militant hideout conducted by members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in Char Alatuli union of Chapainawabganj Sadar upazila. 

The identities of the deceased could not be known immediately.  

The elite force also detained three people -- the house owner, his wife and mother-in-law -- for interrogation during the drive this morning. 

Mufti Mahmud, director of RAB's media wing, confirmed the matter to media on Tuesday noon.

"We have wrapped up the operation . . . three bodies were found on the spot," he said adding that the militants were belonging to Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB).

The slain three militants blew themselves up staging suicide blasts also burning down the den, a hay-made hut, defying calls of surrender, Mufti Mahmud said. 

They rented the house in the remote Char Alatuli area of the Padma river 15 days ago identifying themselves as migratory bird watchers, he said.

RAB seized three hand grenades, seven detonators, 12 power jells, two pistols among other materials from the house, he said. 

RAB cordoned off a house in Char Alatuli union of Chapainawabganj Sadar upazila from early Tuesday suspecting it a militant den.

Col Mahabub ALam, commanding officer of RAB-5, said that on secret information a team of RAB cordoned off the abandoned house owned by Rafiqul Islam at the Ward No. 5 of the union and asked the militants in the house to surrender. 

At one stage, the militants opened fire and threw grenade to the elite forces which prompted them to retaliate back.

A 12-member bomb disposal team of the elite force from Rajshahi reached the spot around 10:30am.

Local sources said Rafiqul Islam, who has been suffering from cancer, did not stay in the house for long time.