'Saiful planned for sabotage centering Dhanmondi-32'

Staff Correspondent: Saiful Islam, who was killed in operation "August Bite" conducted at the Hotel Olio International in the capital's Panthapath area, had a plan to make sabotage centering Dhanmondi-32 on the National Mourning Day, police said.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) AKM Shahidul Haque came up with the disclosure in a press briefing after the operation ended on Tuesday noon.

IGP confirmed the identification of the militant as a student of Khulna BL College and son of Abul Khair Mollah of Noakathi village of Dumuria upazila in Khulna.

"Counter Terrorism unit had information that militants might have occurred suicide attacks centering Dhanmondi-32 on the National Mourning Day.  Detectives were alert over issue and increased surveillance around the area since Monday.  Later on the night, it was confirmed that militants took position in the hotel. Then the law enforcers cordoned off it," the IGP said.

He said, "We firstly asked to surrender. But he did not respond to the call. Later, law enforcers conducted inside the hotel. Then, he blasted bombs and made fire, leaving a passerby injured. Police also retaliated. Two suicidal vests and backpacks were found in the building."

"We could successfully escaped the sabotage activities as the detectives were more alert," he added.


risingbd/Dhaka/August 15, 2017/Nur/A K Azad