Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05DHAKA6127
2005-12-14 09:47:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Dhaka
Cable title:  

JMB DEPUTY COMMANDER CAUGHT

Tags:  PTER KISL PGOV BG 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
S E C R E T DHAKA 006127 

SIPDIS

NOFORN

DS/IP/SA AND DS/DSS/ITA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/14/2010
TAGS: PTER KISL PGOV BG BG
SUBJECT: JMB DEPUTY COMMANDER CAUGHT

Classified By: A/DCM D.C. McCullough, reasons para 1.4 b, d.

S E C R E T DHAKA 006127

SIPDIS

NOFORN

DS/IP/SA AND DS/DSS/ITA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/14/2010
TAGS: PTER KISL PGOV BG BG
SUBJECT: JMB DEPUTY COMMANDER CAUGHT

Classified By: A/DCM D.C. McCullough, reasons para 1.4 b, d.


1. (S/NF) Summary. Rapid Action Battalion personnel have
caught reputed JMB deputy commander Ataur Rahman Sunny. The
breakthrough came in Dhaka the evening of December 13 but has
reportedly been kept quiet to further the JMB dragnet. A
major seizure of arms and explosives in Dhaka the morning of
December 14 apparently stemmed from information provided by
Rahman. The BDG is expected to announce Rahman's arrest, its
first major victory in the anti-JMB campaign, later today.
End Summary.


2. (C) On December 14, vacationing PolFSN called in to report
that reputed Jamaatul Mujahidin Bangladesh (JMB) deputy
commander Ataur Rahman Sunny, who is also the brother of JMB
head Abdur Rahman, had been arrested the previous night, and
that the BDG would announce the arrest later this afternoon.
The arrest was being kept secret, the source stated, to
further the JMB investigation, and that information provided
by Rahman led to the seizure this morning of a large quantity
of arms and explosives in the Manda part of Dhaka seven
kilometers from the chancery. (Note: We believe the source
is a Home Ministry press officer.)


3. (S/NF) SIMO has confirmed Ataur Rahman's arrest with
liaison.


4. (C) Police contacts confirmed press reports that, early
December 14, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) personnel, "acting
on a tip," seized a large quantity of arms and explosives at
a house in Manda. The haul reportedly included 24 small
improvised explosive devices, 20 pistols, nearly 90 kilograms
of explosives and bomb-making materials, and 50 detonators.
Three "low-level" JMB operatives were arrested at the house.
According to police, all the arms and explosives are of
Bangladeshi origin except for the detonators and the gelatin
explosives. (Note: In the past, BDG officials have claimed
that detonators and explosives used by JMB came from India.
The Indian High Commission today told us that, after weeks of
prodding, the BDG recently turned over for tracing one
detonator with no markings.)


5. (C) Comment: Rahman's arrest is the BDG's first major
victory in its crackdown on the JMB. The opposition Awami
League will likely allege that the BDG sat on Rahman for 24
hours to rehearse his story to prevent embarrassment to JMB
supporters in the BNP and Jamaat Islami. In that context,
Rahman's apparent tip leading to the arms and explosives
seizure today is double good news for the BDG in that it
seems to validate the BDG's decision to delay an arrest
announcement. Local newspapers the past week have been
filled with reports of JMB arrests and seized arms caches,
but only time will tell if Rahman's arrest and other actions
have significantly degraded JMB capabilities.
CHAMMAS