Author: Kushtia
Publication: News.webindia123.com
Date: April 29, 2009
URL: http://news.webindia123.com/news/articles/World/20090429/1240096.html
Forty top leaders of Islamist militant outfits
are regrouping with their 10,000-plus cadres in south-western Bangladesh in
districts bordering India's West Bengal state, authorities have said.
Bangladeshi authorities say they gleaned this
information after interrogating Hizb-ut-Towhid militants who were arrested
in this border town last week.
Hizb-ut-Towhid is an Islamist terror group
run by Bayezid Khan Panni. The outfit is banned in several countries.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has now asked
the home ministry to update its dossiers on militant bodies.
The ministry found that of the 33 groups identified
so far, four were banned by the Khaleda Zia government after protests at home
and an international outcry against activities of the Islamist militants.
The Daily Star quoted unnamed sources in the
intelligence agencies as saying that the law enforcers were trying to hunt
down the chiefs of those outfits holed up in various districts.
The Hasina government has set up a 17-member
task force headed by State Minister for Home Tanjim Soheh Taj to tackle the
spread of militancy.
The outfits operating in the region are Allahr
Dal, Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), Harkat-ul Jihad al Islami (Huji)
and Hizb-ut Towhid.
Panni is currently leading Hizb-ut Towhid.
He has written several books to indoctrinate his followers and also distributes
leaflets.
According to police, during interrogation
Hizb-ut Towhid men told them Panni invited them to prepare for "direct
combat".
Police said a large number of members and
leaders of the organisation are well-trained and motivated.
