2 ‘Dawlatul Islam’ members placed on remand in anti-terrorism case

A Dhaka court today (17 August) placed two suspected members of the militant organisation “Dawlatul Islam” on remand in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

The accused are Jewel Bhuiyan, also known as Ostad, 27, and Md Arif Chowdhury, 24.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Jamsed Alam passed the order after considering a petition filed by the investigating officer.

Sub-Inspector Mohin Uddin of the Dhaka Metropolitan Prosecution Division confirmed the development, saying the court granted a three-day remand for Jewel and a two-day remand for Arif.

Earlier, the investigation officer of the case, Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU) Sub-Inspector Md Rafiqul Islam, had sought a 10-day remand for both accused.

According to the remand petition, the ATU received information on 16 August that several individuals carrying explosives were gathering in the Sarulia area of Demra to carry out acts of sabotage aimed at disrupting public safety and damaging state property.

Acting on the tip-off and using information technology, law enforcers identified the suspects near a tea stall on Gariber Newaz Mosque Road in Boxnagar’s Nijhumbag area.

Police arrested Jewel from the scene, while Arif was detained after attempting to flee.

The petition stated that officers recovered two live detonator bombs wrapped in black tape from the suspects.

As the explosive devices posed a threat to public safety, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) bomb disposal unit later destroyed them.

During preliminary questioning, the suspects identified themselves as active members of Dawlatul Islam, said police.

Investigators told the court that custodial interrogation was necessary to uncover further details about the case, identify other suspects and gather information about the alleged sabotage plan.

No lawyer appeared on behalf of the accused during the hearing.

The case was filed with Demra Police Station by ATU Sub-Inspector Palash Ali.