|
RAB hunts for militants hiding in capital
 DHAKA: Bangladesh police stepped up the hunt for Islamic and other militants on Sunday as they moved to reinforce security in the capital after seizing a huge stockpile of bombs and explosive materials three days ago. Black-robed members of the police elite Rapid Action Battalion and plain clothed intelligence officers fanned out across the city of 10 million people and its suburbs, trying to find those who brought in the explosives, a police officer said. Police said they were acting on information given by eight suspects detained on Thursday when police busted two militant dens in cityâs Purbo Bashabo and south Goran areas. The militants were believed to be preparing to launch another wave of bomb attacks in the capital after the simultaneous explosions of 500 small bombs across the country on Aug 17. A Dhaka newspaper on Sunday reported there were more than 100 militant hideouts in the capital alone. Police declined to confirm the report but said they were out to capture all militants hiding in the overcrowded city. âWe are working relentlessly to ensure no militants can shelter or operate in the city. There will be no let up in our operation,â said Mohammad Abdul Quayyum, Inspector-General of Police, on Sunday. âThey wonât be able to hide for long as we have spread the hunt all over the country,â said another police officer. No one has claimed responsibility for the Aug 17 serial bombings, which were apparently aimed more at creating panic than taking lives. Posted by: Fred 2005-09-12 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=129290 |