Investigators consider extending vigilance to institutions for higher education to trace whether militants have already infiltrated into those and built a strong network, say sources concerned.
The investigators would mount their watch on a number of public and private universities following arrest of Emranul Haque alias Rajib, a Buet graduate and also IT boss of outlawed Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB).
The officials of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) engaged in busting militant networks across the country were stunned to learn that a graduate in civil engineering from the well-reputed Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology is involved with such an infamous outfit.
The arrest came as a wake-up call for the Rab officials, who would now train their focus more on universities in addition to religion-based organisations and institutions.
Rab Additional Director General Col Rezanur Rahman Khan admitted that it's a new discovery for them that a highly educated man is involved in an organisation like JMB.
He added they would investigate how such a highly educated person got involved with JMB.
The investigators suspect apart from Buet and Dhaka University, JMB has infiltrated to different other educational institutions since Rajib joined JMB inspired by a DU student named Mostafiz.
However, since Rab does not have enough manpower to carry out this huge task alone, it considers seeking help from other intelligence agencies to bust the militant networks in a coordinated way, says a source.
The source adds as a highly educated person like Rajib is involved with JMB, it is not unlikely that other highly educated people have joined JMB and Rab will hunt for them.
The Rab officials say prior to Rajib's arrest they had idea that JMB has networks in some polytechnic institutes and a number of colleges.
Salahuddin, JMB's detained Majlish-e-Shura (highest policymaking body) member who is now confined to Mymensingh jail, was the student of Gazipur-based Dhaka University of Technology. Moreover, recently arrested JMB's explosives expert 'Boma Mizan' was a student of Dhaka Polytechnic Institute.
JMB's executed military commander Ataur Rahman Suny, also brother of executed JMB supremo Abdur Rahman, had a strong base in Dhaka Polytechnic Institute from where he was picked up.
Although Rab arrested Jahangirnagar University student KM Wahidul Islam Wasim in December 2005 suspecting him a JMB suicide squad member, sources say the elite force did not focus on the universities at that time.
"Now we need to find out who else in Buet and DU are involved with JMB or any other militant outfits," says an investigator. He adds similar focus should also be given to other educational institutions.
"We should maintain strong monitoring in the universities to detect militant infiltration and if they have secret programmes to recruit students and teachers through motivation."
Rab Director General Hassan Mahmood Khandker yesterday said, "We'll train our focus on all areas where our suspicion leads during investigation and anti-militancy drives."
Earlier on Sunday, Rab busted a Pallabi house in the capital and arrested the JMB IT chief, who used to download information on explosives from internet and supply those to detained explosives expert 'Boma Mizan'.
The investigators had ideas that the controversial Ahle Hadith Andolan Bangladesh (Ahab) and suspected militant organisation Hizb ut-Tahrir have some networks in a few public and private universities besides some madrasas and mosques.
Ahab leader Asadullah Al Galib who is a teacher of Rajshahi University was arrested for suspected militant activities on the campus.
Another controversial and suspected militant organisation Hizb ut-Tahrir has some organisational bases at Dhaka University as its leader is a teacher of the management department.
Moreover, their members also include students of a number of private universities in the capital.
"We know Hizb ut-Tahrir has its network in some private universities, but we never thought the banned militant organisation like JMB might have such networks in universities," says an investigator wishing anonymity.
RAJIB, ABU BAKAR REMANDED
A Dhaka court yesterday placed Rajib and ehsar (full-time) member Abu Bakar Siddique on a five-day remand each in one of the two cases filed against them with Pallabi Police Station on Monday.
Rab inspector Mohammad Nurullah filed one case under the Anti-terrorism Act, 2008 and the other under the Explosives Act.
MIZAN CHARGESHEETED
Mirpur police yesterday pressed charges against 'Boma Mizan' and his wife Halima Begum in two cases filed against them for possessing firearms and explosives in their residence, writes our court correspondent.
'Boma Mizan' has meanwhile confessed to his involvement in attacking Rab members while they attempted to arrest him at his Mirpur residence in May this year.
Sub-inspector Moshiur Rahman of Mirpur police, also investigation officer (IO) of the cases, submitted the charge sheets to the Court of Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Dhaka showing 14 people as prosecution witnesses.
In the charge sheets, the IO mentioned that the charges brought against them were primarily proved.
Rab arrested Mizan in Taltola and his wife at their residence in the area. The elite force also recovered 35 kinds of bomb-making materials and detonators from the house.
Sensing Rab presence, Mizan's wife had blasted a bomb injuring herself and her two children.
During investigation Mizan also confessed to his involvement in making bombs and supplying those to his accomplices.