JMB: WINDED OR DOWN FOR THE COUNT?

C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 006303

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/21/2010
TAGS: PTER KISL ASEC PGOV BG BG
SUBJECT: JMB: WINDED OR DOWN FOR THE COUNT?


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


1. (C) December 22 marks the second week since the last
attack, in Netrakona, which at that point looked like the
most ruthless in an escalating and quickening campaign of
violence waged by Jamaatul Mujahidin Bangladesh (JMB). The
focus has shifted from attacks to apparent breakthroughs in
the anti-JMB investigation, including the following
highlights:

-- November 20: Abdul Awal becomes the first senior JMB
leader to be arrested. He is a son-in-law of JMB supreme
commander Abdur Rahman, the JMB commander for Rajshahi, and a
member of the JMB executive committee. Awal was reportedly
responsible for JMB finances and weapons procurement.

-- December 4: The alleged mastermind of the Gazipur suicide
attacks, Wahidur Rahman Jewel, is arrested. According to
police, Jewel was the bomb maker and the person who selected
the suicide attackers.

-- December 7: Mohiuddin Faruqi, a Khulna regional commander,
is arrested.

-- December 13: Ataur Rahman Sunny, a JMB Executive Committee
member and the Dhaka divisional commander, is arrested.
Sunny ranks just after his brother, Abdur Rahman, in the JMB
leadership hierarchy.

-- December 13: JMB Chittagong divisional commander Mohammad
Aman Ullah is arrested.

-- December 17: JMB Rasjshahi commander Abu Isa, alias
Emmanuel, is arrested.


2. (C) Since the Gazipur attacks, there have been near daily
recoveries of large amounts of explosives and crude,
locally-made weapons. A timeline of major JMB actions
indicates the investigation didn't start to make significant
progress until after investigators were able to interrogate
several suicide bombers who initially survived their attacks.
While two JMB Executive Committee members have been
arrested, five remain at large: Abdur Rahman, Bangla Bhai,
Salahuddin (the Sylhet divisional commander),Hafez Mahmud
(the Khulna divisional commander),and Shaikh Tariq (the
Rangpur/Dinajpur divisional commander).


3. (C) Comment: It is unclear whether these recent successes
have put JMB on the ropes or have simply driven a still
viable organization further underground. Great doubts about
BDG motives and commitment to pursuing the JMB investigation
remain, especially if the heat is perceived to be off.
Ultimately, there are only two points that matter: whether
the violence resumes, and whether the BDG catches the other
five Executive Committee members.
CHAMMAS