RAB-3 arrested 65 bombs and three bomb makers after raiding a bomb making factory in East Badda Haji Bari area of the capital.
At the press conference after the operation on Wednesday (22 May) night the captain of RAB-3, Lt. Col. Md. Feroze Kabir informed this to media.
He said, we have recovered a large quantity of hand bombs from here. The bombs could be detonated in a vacuum. Each bomb blast spread up to 30 meters. All things considered, we found it to be a dangerous explosive.
When asked about the arrestees, Feroz Kabir said that the militants mainly work in the cut-out method. Basically those who were arrested today were doing the work in exchange of money. They could not tell us where they would be used. We believe the bombs were supposed to be sent today.
Lt Col Feroze said, 'Based on my intelligence, I have come to know that some militants make bombs. It has been supplying to different places of the country including Gazipur. After receiving this information, they were kept under surveillance for the last 8 to 10 days. Last 2 to 3 days ago we were supposed to have a raid. But that was not possible due to the militants' own disagreements. After getting the information about this place, we went on a raid this afternoon. They were making hand bombs in this house in Badda. Three people were arrested during the bomb making operation. During this time, a large amount of bomb-making materials were recovered.
He also said that the three arrested said that they came to the contract of work for 2 to 3 hours through a person named Sajib. All three of them work in a shoe factory. They came to work with a contract of Tk. 26 thousand. In a small room here, after making the bombs, the room will be locked and left. And the key was supposed to be left in the ground at a certain place. No one will know where the key is without this information. The bombs were supposed to go to Gazipur tonight. A person named Masum knows who to go to from Gazipur.
He also said, 'Our bomb disposal unit came to the spot and observed the structure, weight and details of the bombs and said that the bombs are very dangerous. These bombs can be detonated in a vacuum Each bomb was capable of spreading up to 30 meters when detonated. All in all, we think it's a dangerous explosive.
When asked about the arrestees, Feroze Kabir said, "The militants basically work in the cut-out method. Those arrested today were doing the work for money. Since there were several state events including upazila elections and Eid, the bombs may have been used at that time. We got two names Sajib and Masum. If you get them, you will get information about who is above Masum.
When asked how long they were in the house, Feroze Kabir said, "They made preparations to make bombs at three places. Demra made preparations in an area between Savar and Gazipur. Sajib is mainly responsible for fixing the house. At his signal the house is fixed. Later the makers came and started working. We got the name of this place this evening. They were supposed to work in Demra earlier. Later, the makers came to this house and started working. Sajib was present in this house. But the presence of RAB is stuck. I am working to catch those involved in this incident.
When asked how the collection of bomb-making materials was done, he said, "There are many products which are not directly illegal." For example matches, bicycle balls, pieces of glass are not illegal. It is not illegal to buy them separately. It is illegal when it is bought and used for public harm. We monitored them for several days. We have seen bomb making materials come from different places. The chemical is from Rajshahi. Glass shards are collected from Jatrabari. That is, the necessary materials have been collected from different places. These have been coordinated by Sajib. The work has started from this afternoon.
In response to a question, this RAB official said, "Our operation is ongoing." The bomb disposal unit will decide where to defuse the bombs if they can be carried away and detonated. Legal action is pending against those involved.
Earlier, RAB's Legal and Media Wing Assistant Director (ASP) Imran Khan confirmed the information about the factory raid on Wednesday (May 22) around 9:30 pm.
It is to be noted that the RAB surrounded the house after finding a factory for making hand bombs in a house in Tekpara area of Badda police station. RAB bomb disposal unit was present at the spot.