Two members of Neo-JMB -- an ultra-radical offshoot of the banned militant outfit Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) -- were arrested for their alleged involvement with the attacks on police at five places in Dhaka last year.

Md Jamal Uddin Rafique and Md Anwar Hossain were arrested from Shanir Akhra of the capital’s Jatrabari area around 9:30pm yesterday.

Monirul Islam, chief of Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, disclosed the information at a press briefing at DMP Media Centre today.

During primary investigation, the two men admitted that they are members of Neo JMB and also confessed their involvement in the attacks, Monirul Islam said.

A team of Neo JMB led by Rafique carried out the attacks on police at Gulistan on April 29, Malibagh on May 26, Paltan intersection and Khamarbari on July 23 and at Science Lab intersection on August 8 last year, he added.   

The CTTC chief further said Rafique had made the bombs, which were used during the attacks, at his house.

With the duo, in total six people were arrested in connection with the attacks.

On September 23 last year, counter-terrorism officials said a “Neo-JMB” cell planted improvised explosive devices (IEDs) at two places and attacked policemen at three other spots in the capital in the last six months.

The cell, suspected to have 10 to 12 members, used two members for each operation and the IEDs were made at one of its dens in Narayanganj’s Fatullah, the officials said.