Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) has claimed to have arrested seven operatives of a "newly emerging" militant organisation in Chittagong city. 

The radical organisation -- “Deen Force Extreme” -- is an "ideological follower" of so-called Islamic State (IS), claimed Rab.

However, Counter Terrorism (CT) unit of Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) said they have no information about such an organisation or its activities.

The arrestees are: Md Muntasirul Meher, 26; Md Ajfar Hossen, 21; Md Imran Khan, 27; Chowdhury Mohammed Ridwan, 27; SM Jawad Jafar, 26; Md Dawud Nabi alias Polash, 28; and Md Mohiuddin Tamim, 29.

They were arrested on Friday evening from Hafez Mohammed Sadeq Wakf Stand Mosque in Nasiman Bhaban area of the city's Kazir Dewri while holding a clandestine meeting after Asr prayers, said Lt Commander Ashequr Rahman, deputy director (DD) of RAB-7, at a press conference at RAB-7 Headquarters in the city's Patenga on Saturday. 

He claimed the arrestees, who are well-educated, used to share jihadi videos on two WhatsApp groups -- "Deen Force Extreme" and "Ikhwan".

“Among the arrestees, Muntasirul is the field officer of ICRC in Cox's Bazar while Ajfar is a second year student of management department at Chittagong University (CU),” said Ashequr.

Jihadi books and three laptops were recovered from the residences of Tamim and Ajfar after their arrest.

Quoting the seven, the Rab official claimed that one Ibne Mostaq had motivated the seven for jihad in 2013.

A case was lodged with Kotwali Police Station under Anti-Terrorism Act on Friday.