Rajshahi Raid: Weapons cache unearthed
Staff Reporter :
The Bangladesh Army recovered firearms, explosives-making materials, and other weapons while detaining three individuals during a raid at a coaching centre in Rajshahi early on Friday.
A team from the 40 East Bengal Regiment carried out the operation at around 1:30am at the Kandirganj building, which houses the “Doctor’s English” coaching centre, the army said in a press release.
During the raid, authorities recovered three firearms and ammunition, a military-grade binocular and sniper scope, six local weapons, seven foreign sharp daggers, five high-quality walkie-talkie sets, a military-grade GPS, a taser gun, various cartridges, numerous unused SIM cards, bomb-making equipment, six computers, Tk7,445 in cash, and assorted local and foreign alcohol.
The team also discovered 11 nitrogen cartridges, which were later neutralised by the Bomb Disposal Unit as they contained live explosive materials.
The coaching centre’s owner, Muntasirul Alam Anindya, along with Md Robin and Md Faisal, were detained during the raid.
They have been taken to Boalia Model Police Station, where a case under the Arms and Explosives Act will be filed, according to Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mohammad Abu Sufian.
Speaking to reporters while being transported to the police station, Anindya said, “I am innocent.
Forensic tests will prove it, and I will be released on bail.” His cousin, Neela Zaman, also defended him, saying, “Anindya is a good boy. I cannot accept these allegations against him.”
Anindya is the son of former Rajshahi city BNP vice-president Shafiul Alam Lattu and a relative of former Rajshahi mayor and Awami League leader AHM Khairuzzaman Liton.
He was previously arrested in connection with alleged links to the 2016 Holey Artisan attack in Dhaka and the murder of Rajshahi University teacher Rezaul Karim, though authorities have not confirmed any direct involvement in those cases.
The army stated that the raid followed one month of intelligence surveillance. A Fire Service diving team was also deployed to search a nearby pond for additional firearms.
“The relevant intelligence agencies have initiated further investigations, and the operation is ongoing,” the press release added.
Earlier, Rajshahi Metropolitan Police spokesperson Gaziur Rahman said details would be shared with the media once the operation concluded.