Two Neo JMB members arrested in Dhaka

Two active members of a Neo JMB "sleeper cell" have been arrested during a raid in the capital's Sadarghat area, said a press release.

The arrestees are: Saffat Islam alias Abdullah alias William alias Al Arsalan alias Mehemed Chagri Beg (18) and Yasir Arafat alias Shanto (20).

Members of a Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit under Dhaka Metropolitan Police conducted a drive at Sadarghat and arrested Saffat and Arafat around 6:55pm yesterday, the release read.

The law enforcers also seized two mobile phones, a knife, and some hand-written documents containing instructions regarding their action plans.

Both Saffat and Arafat are members of Neo JMB's military unit, and they along with seven or eight other members formed a sleeper cell called FZ Force, the release said.

On July 4, Saffat from his Dhaka's Elephant Road residence and Arafat from Keraniganj residence, attempted to recruit new members in the hopes of giving military training to them, according to the statement.

They planned on killing influential politicians and atheists, and tried to collect weapons and bombs as per their plans.

Besides, they communicated with other members through social media platforms and encrypted apps, the release said.

A case was filed against them with Kotwali Police Station.