Money came from Middle-East for Gulshan and Sholakia attacks — the two major terrorist attacks that threw Bangladesh into a state of terror alert, police claimed today.
At least Tk 13 lakh came into Bangladesh via hundi transfer (an illegal system), said Monirul Islam, an additional commissioner police and chief of Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime unit.
He said police have information about the man who received the money from this end. “We have his identity. We are trying to catch him. Most of the money was spent in house rent and weapons.”
In regard to the source of the weapons, Monirul said police were yet to ascertain the source but are confirm that the supply of arms in both attacks came through India.
Terror attacks in Bangladesh took a turn with the July 1 attack on Holey Artisan — a restaurant in Dhaka’s diplomatic zone — that resulted in the death of 22 people, mostly foreigners.
In a space of a week, Sholakia Eidgah — where the largest Eid congregation takes place — was attacked during Eid day prayers resulting in the death of four people.
ANOTHER MASTERMIND OF ATTACKS NAMED
Investigation has been underway into the terror incidents. Since then, police have had success in cracking some major militant dens and bringing down some militant leaders.
“After our raids in Kalyanpur, Azimpur and others areas, we have been able to bring down the strength of JMB down to 30-40 percent,” Monirul claimed praising the contribution of law enforcers.
He named another militant — Rajib Gandhi alias Shuvash Gandhi alias Shanto — who is said to be the northern part leader of the banned militant outfit Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB).
“He sent at least three recruits to attack the Gulshan café and Sholakia Eidgah from the north. We are looking for him and two others – Marjan, Basaruzzaman. We know two other leadership-level militants have fled to India,” Monirul said.
Monirul was speaking to journalists at the media centre of Dhaka Metropolitan Police in regard to the progress of investigation into the terrorist attacks in Bangladesh.