Joint forces led by Bangladesh Army started operation in the ‘militant den’ in Sibbari area of Dakshin Surma in Sylhet city on Friday night.
Members of Para Commando Battalion of Bangladesh Army, Special Weapon and Tactic Team (SWAT) and Police jointly began the operation at the five-storey building “Achhia Villa” at Pathanpara around 8:05pm, said Sylhet Metropolitan Police (SMP) Commissioner Golam Kibria.
Around half an hour after the operation began, the police official said that the situation was under control. “We’re arranging lighting and generator services there.”
Our correspondent reports: The commandoes were seen marching towards the five-storey building. Earlier, several units of the SWAT reached the spot from Dhaka on Friday afternoon to join the drive but they could not conduct the drive after observing the atmosphere.
In the meantime, police, through a loud speaker, asked the suspected militants to surrender, the commissioner said. “But, they are yet to respond to the call.”
A grenade was hurled towards police personnel who had approached the building around 3:00am on Friday, he said. “We believe it is a den of some top JMB militants,” said the SMP Additional Commissioner Rokonuddin, adding: “We suspect militants are hiding in that building.”
Police called repeatedly the suspected militants to come out from inside the five-storey building in the afternoon, he said.
Power lines to the building have been cut and civilians partially evacuated from the building earlier in the day. “About 70 civilians have been moved out. Power lines have been cut,” said SMP Deputy Commissioner Basudeb Banik.
Several gunshots and explosions were heard from the spot around noon, the police official said.
Police have been making announcements in loudspeakers, asking the suspects to come out of the house sealed off since 3:00am Friday, he said.
At one point, naming a female suspect, a policeman said, “Morjina Begum, you have been surrounded from all sides. Surrender peacefully!”
SI Shah Alam then said, “We are all Muslims. If you have something to say, please talk to our brothers in the media here.”
A female was heard replying: “You are walking the path of Satan! We follow Allah!” Then a male voice followed.
“Why are you wasting time? We don’t have much time. Send in the SWAT!”
SMP Jalalabad Police Station Officer-in-Charge Akhtar Hossain said, “A woman shouted out from the building saying they have chosen the path of Allah and do not fear the police.”
Owner of the house, one Ustar Mia, said, the centre of attention was the ground floor flat where a couple – Kawsar Ahmed and Morjina Begum – were living since the last three months.
Kawsar Rahman Ripon, son of the landlord, said: “They identified themselves as husband and wife and rented the ground floor flat three months ago.”
He said the couple said their names were Kawsar Ahmed and Morjina.
Earlier on March 16, four suspected militants, including a female one and a six-year-old boy, were killed during a special raid by joint forces on a militant hideout at Premtala in Sitakunda upazila of Chittagong.
