Dhaka: At least 12 of the 23 people detained from a mosque in Dhaka are suspected of planning to form a new extremist organisation called “Ittehadul Ummah”, Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said. Investigators believe the group was allegedly seeking to establish a caliphate in Bangladesh.
The 23 people were detained on Friday from the mosque at Tejgaon College after police received intelligence that members of a banned militant outfit would gather there following prayers.
According to police, a group of around 25 to 30 people had gathered on the second floor of the mosque for what authorities described as a secret meeting. Police launched a raid at around 5 pm and detained 23 people. Officers from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime unit and Anti-Terrorism Unit were involved in the operation.
11 Detainees Released
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said the detainees were questioned and their mobile phones were subjected to forensic examination.
No significant evidence was reportedly found against 11 of the 23 detainees. They were subsequently handed over to their guardians and community elders, officials said.
However, forensic findings from the phones of the remaining 12 and information obtained during interrogation allegedly indicated that they had been attempting to form Ittehadul Ummah for extremist activities and to establish a caliphate, according to the home minister.
The government has maintained a zero-tolerance policy towards extremism, Ahmed said, adding that the remaining suspects were being questioned to determine their motives and activities.
Police Continue Verification
Police initially said they were still verifying the identities and backgrounds of all 23 detainees and had not immediately confirmed whether they belonged to the same organisation.
One detainee, identified as Shihab Uddin, had earlier told reporters that the group had connected through WhatsApp and claimed they had gathered to discuss business matters. He denied any links to a banned organisation.
The case remains under investigation as Bangladeshi authorities continue to examine the alleged links and activities of those detained.
