Seven killed in blast as Bangladesh security forces raid militant den

Neo-JMB, which is inclined to the Islamic State terrorist group, is one of the most active militant groups in Bangladesh. The government blames the homegrown outfit for a series of deadly attacks, including on atheist writers and independent bloggers over the past two years.

It is also responsible for an attack on a posh Dhaka café in July 2016, in which 22 people were killed, 17 of them were foreigners.

RAB officials said the militants had thrice agreed to surrender during negotiations but they did not eventually. “Charred remains were scattered inside the apartment… We found seven skulls,” RAB chief Benazir Ahmed said. He told reporters the temperature inside the flat was nearly 60C hours after the explosion.

“Unlike other militants who prefer to live a secretive life, Abdullah was much social. He used to say his prayers in mosque and enjoyed World Cup football with neighbours,” an area resident told PTI.

Another resident said: “His behaviour never showed any signs of a he being militant”.

But, RAB officials said, intelligence suggested several neo-JMB leaders visited Abdullah’s residence for meetings.

The raid came hours after RAB said they arrested two militants from Tangail area near Dhaka. The militants were planning to carry out “subversive activities” using a drone, they added.

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