Bangladesh to offer Tk 10 lakh as reward to militants who lay down arms

Dhaka: Days after the Dhaka cafe siege and a terror attack on an Eid congregation, Bangladeshi forces conducted a search in Bogra in Rajshahi district on Monday to locate militant training camps. They also announced a 10 lakh Taka reward for any militant who would lay down arms. The joint forces conducted searches in different areas of Dhunot and Sariakandi upazillas in Bogra in search of militant training camps. [caption id=“attachment_2900846” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Dhaka has been on the edge since a strike on 1 July killed 20 people at a cafe. AP[/caption] Benazir Ahmed, director general of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), announced Tk 10 lakh reward for any militant outfit member who was ready to return to normal life and give specific information about activities of militants. He also announced that Tk 5 lakh will be given to anyone who provides specific information about activities of terrorist and militant groups. The RAB, police and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) conducted the anti-militancy drive, reported the Daily Star. Ahmed said all militants outfits operating in the country will be uprooted. The drive in Bogra was initiated following information provided by Shariful Islam alias Shafiul Islam alias Saiful Islam, a suspect held in the Sholakia Eid congregation attack in Bangladesh on 7 July. Three machetes, three knives and six jihadi books were recovered during the three-hour drive conducted by the joint forces. In a media briefing on Sunday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the government’s priority is to find those who are instigating young men to engage in militancy. Expressing her concern, Hasina said boys from well-off families are now getting involved in militant extremism. “What’s the reason behind it? Who are instigating them,” she asked. She stressed upon finding those who are supplying arms to young men and funding terror attacks. She also said that the government has reached an understanding with India and the US over sharing of intelligence and assistance to combat terrorism. The 1 July terror siege in a Dhaka cafe led to the death of 20 hostages, mostly foreigners, including one Indian.