Police claimed to have arrested Pabna regional chief of banned militant outfit Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) from Tebunia of the district.

Detained Rakibul Islam alias Rakib alias Touhid alias Rajon, 25, is the key accused in the case filed for attacking Christian Pastor Luke Sarkar, police told our Pabna correspondent.

Acting on a tip-off, a team of police and detectives conducted a drive in Mozidpur area around 12:30pm today and made the arrest, said Liton Kumar Shaha, additional superintendent of Pabna police.

The arrest came 23 days after the pastor of Faith Bible Church was attacked by three miscreants at his own residence in Schoolpara area of Ishwardi. However, the pastor survived the attack with minor injuries.

Following the incident police nabbed five JMB activists in connection with the incident. Police quoted the detainees as saying that Rakib and two of his associates – Rabbi and Shakil – carried out the attack to destabilise the country.

"We have already arrested Rakib and Rabbi, but Shakil is still on the run. And we are trying to nab him," Liton Kumar Shaha added.