BOGRA: Six kingpins of the banned militant outfit Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh, including its Bogra district chief, were arrested on Monday evening in the wake of a latest countrywide crackdown on Islamist operatives.   

Police said JMB Shura member Anwar Alam alias Nazmul alias Vagne-Shahid was arrested along with firearms from a Dinajpur-bound bus near Bogra bypass road.

Based on information provided by Anwar, police arrested five other JMB top dogs from Pradhanpara of Gobindaganj Upazila of Gaibandha district.

The arrested persons are JMB chief of North Bengal Shariful Islam alias Jamai Rafique alias Hasan, 28, JMB chief of Gaibandha district Gias alias Russel, 25, Eshar member Shakil, 22, Md. Abdul Majid, 50, and Anwar Hossain alias Army Anwar, 48.

Police said they seized huge amounts of Jihad books, explosives and devices for making bomb from the spot.

In a press conference, Bogra Police Super Humayun Kabir said joint forces of Bogra police and a special team of Detective Branch conducted the drive.

“We have arrested Shahid from a Dinajpur-bound bus along with a pistol and three bullets,” he told reporters.

BDST 1815 HRS, 13 JULY 2010.