POBNEWS24, Dhaka July 1, 2022 : Bangladesh’s success in curbing militancy and terrorism is enviable, said Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, Director General (DG) of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). He made the remarks in response to a question from reporters after paying homage to the glowing oath sculpture set up in front of the old Gulshan police station in the capital’s Gulshan on Friday (July 1) to mark the sixth anniversary of the Holy Artisan attack.  

Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, Director General (DG) of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), added, “The way we have suppressed militancy has continued.” In the cyber world, we are monitoring militant activities.

Mentioning that de-radicalization of militants is going on, RAB DG said, “We have de-radicalized 18 militants.” I have surrendered 16 people. We are in constant touch with them so that they do not get involved in militancy again.  

Mentioning that RAB has arrested 3,000 militants so far, Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun said, “We have arrested more than one and a half thousand militants since Holi Artisan.” Notable among these were the arrests of Amir Sarwar Jahan, the mastermind, and Shariful Islam Khaleq and Mamnoor Rashid Ripon, who were involved in financing and planning.  

Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, Director General (DG) of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), also mentioned that the militants’ networks and hideouts were dismantled as part of the government’s zero tolerance policy.  

It may be mentioned that the then Assistant Commissioner of Police (AC) Rabiul of Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Police and Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Banani Police Station Salauddin were killed in the Holy Artisan attack. In their memory, a sculpture of these two officers named Dipta Shapath was made in front of Gulshan Model Police Station. Every year on the anniversary of the Holy Artisan attack, a glowing oath sculpture is held in their memory.