Bangladesh announces reward for information on masterminds of Dhaka attacks

Bangladesh Police chief IGP AKM Shahidul Haque has announced cash rewards of one million taka for anyone who can provide information on the whereabouts of two militants - Major Syed Ziaul Haque, the sacked former army officer and Tamim Choudhury as they have been identified as the 'masterminds' of the terror attacks at a Dhaka cafe and at a Eid congregation in Sholakia recently.

He made the announcement at a press meeting at the police headquarters in Dhaka. He asserted that Major Zia was the top ABT (Ansarullah Bangla Team) leader and Tamim Choudhury was the new leader of the JMB (Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen).

IGP Shahidul said, police have collected a number of clues while investigating the Gulshan and Sholakia attacks. They have also uncovered important details about the terror attacks at Shaorapara, Kalyanpur and Mirpur areas in the capital.

Police gave militants options to surrender after receiving the news of Kalyanpur attack. But they refused the offer and declared a battle with police. Later police conducted a raid in which 9 militants were killed, one was arrested and one fled.

New version of Jamaat-Ul-Mujahideen

The police chief also said the former JMB was not connected with the Gulshan and Sholakia attacks. This attack was led by Major Zia and Tamim Choudhuy who have constructed  a new version of JMB. Police sources say they are the real masterminds of the recent attacks.

The IGP said "we have no exact knowledge of their present whereabouts. For that, we seek the co-operation of the people. If anyone can give information or help to catch them , two million taka will be rewarded for information about each one of the millitants."  He also said the identity of the informer will be kept hidden by the law enforcers.

When the police chief was asked about the involvement of Hijbut Tahrir in the recent attacks, he said nothing has been uncovered so far to establish a link to the militant organisation but the Jamaat-Shibir connection has been established. RAB, DG Benazir Ahmed, DMP commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia, Special Branch chief Dr. Jabed Patwary were  among those present at the press conference.

Syed Ziaul Haque


Former army officer Syed Ziaul Haque, who was dismissed for a coup attempt in 2012 has been absconding since then. Sources say Major Zia has had a connection with militancy for a long time.

Law enforcement officials believe that a substantial number of bloggers killed and other attacks initiated can be traced back to Zia's takeover of the militant branch in 2015. These attacks have been committed in a way where evidence is hard to come and thus arresting people has become very tough.

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