‘August Bite foils plot to attack people heading to Dhanmondi 32’

The militant who was killed in the “Operation August Bite” planned to carry out an attack on those heading towards Dhanmondi Road No 32 to pay homage to Bangabandhu on National Mourning Day, the inspector general of police (IGP) said today.

Based on information, detectives visited the spot and finally cordoned off Hotel Olio International opposite Square Hospitals at Panthapath, IGP Shahidul Hoque said while briefing journalists on the spot after the operation. 

Saiful, a Shibir man

Dead militant Saiful Islam, a student of Khulna BL College, was involved in Shibir politics (student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami), the IGP said.

The “militant” had a suicide vest on him, a backpack and IED explosives, the IGP said adding that Saiful first exploded the IED and when he tried to explode another bomb, law enforcers fired at him.

But Saiful finally died by possibly exploding his suicide vest, he added.

The IGP also added that if he was not involved with Jamaat-Shibir, he would not have planned an attack on the day the country is mourning Bangabandhu’s killing on this day in 1975.

Saiful, who is from Dumuria upazila of Khulna, started his schooling in a madrasa, he added.

His father is an imam of a Khulna mosque, Shahidul said.

‘August Bite’, result of heightened security

The operation “August Bite” is a result of the stringent security measures taken during the month of August, the IGP further said.

“Security measures were heightened; detective activity and surveillance were also increased during this month. Locating the hideout was a result of the heightened surveillance,” the IGP said.

Asked whether Saiful was among those missing, the police official said, this needs to be investigated.