In a major breakthrough, Rapid Action Battalion-11 arrested ten members including the top leadership, of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), an armed rebel group that draws its membership mainly from the persecuted Rohingya community, in separate operations conducted in Narayanganj and Mymensingh.
According to RAB-11, the arrested individuals include Commander Ataullah (48) and Second-in-Command Mostak (66).
Senior AD Muttajil Islam of RAB HQ Media Wing said that acting on intelligence reports, RAB-11 conducted operations on the nights of March 16 and March 17 in two separate teams. The raids took place in the Bhumipolli residential area of Siddhirganj, Narayanganj, and at Nabin Bazar Garden City in Mymensingh.
During the arrests, authorities seized a total of Tk 51,39,100 in cash, along with US dollars, Malaysian ringgit, and other foreign currencies.
Top ARSA leader arrested with firearm, bullets in Cox’s Bazar
Additionally, ARSA combat uniforms, mobile phones, steel chain knives, wristwatches, and other evidence were recovered from their possession.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Ataullah Abu Ammar Jununi alias Ataullah (48), Mostak Ahmed (66), Moniruzzaman (33), Salimullah (27), Mosammat Asmaul Husna (23), Md Hasan (15), Asmat Ullah (24), Md Hasan (43), Mosammat Shahina (22) and Mosammat Senowara (17).
The arrestees have been handed over to the police for further legal proceedings, he said.