Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) claimed to have detained five members of banned militant outfit Ansar Al Islam from Puthia upazila of Rajshahi last night.

On information, a team of Rab-5 conducted a drive in Belpukur area and detained them, assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Anwar Hossain of Rab media wing told our Rajshahi correspondent.

A pistol, 24 crude bombs, five bullets, two magazines, 10 jihadi books and eight organisational notebooks were seized from the spot, he said.

Rab will disclose their identities and other details at a press conference later in the day, he added.