[Bangla Daily Star] An alleged suicide squad member of Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) was arrested at city's Shyampur early yesterday.The arrestee was identified as Sheikh Shahjahan, 43, son of late Sheikh Fayez.
A police team led by Officer-in-charge (OC) Alamgir Hossain of Shyampur Police Station arrested Shahjahan at his house on Nabin Chandra Goshwami Lane.
The OC told The Daily Star that Shahjahan was a charge-sheet-accused in the case filed in connection with a bomb blast at JMB leader Rifat's house in Sylhet Kotwali on September 26, 2001.
Inspector of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Tanab Roy, who was the investigation officer of the case, told The Daily Star that on that day the JMB suicide bombers attempted to kill Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina during her visit to the Shrines of Hazrat Shahjalal (RA) and Shah Paran (RA).
Inspector Tanab said the cadres also made an attempt during Hasina's speech at a gathering in front of Sylhet Alia madrasa after her visit.
Failed twice, the cadres returned to their den at Rifat's house and while taking off the bombs from their bodies, accidentally one bomb exploded leaving two of the cadres spot dead, he added.
However, other prime accused in the case Mufti Hannan, Maulana Abu Sayeed, Masum Ahmed Shakil, Abu Obaied and Rifat, who were arrested in this connection, confessed to Shahjahan's involvement in JMB activities.
Shahjahan at DB (Public Relations) office told reporters that Rifat, also a doctor, was his childhood friend and he was not involved in JMB activities.
"I did not even know that I had been made an accused in the case," he said adding, "I am just a Thai Aluminium contractor in the capital."