Iswardi AL, BNP leaders held, arms recovered

The arrested are Iswardi BNP president and former upazila chairman Mokhlesur Rahman Bablu, his younger brother JCD leader Rezaul Karim Sahun, Iswardi Chamber of Commerce president and poura Awami League vice-president Iunus Ali Mintu and Kushtia Municipal Ward Commissioner Alek Mahamud.

One 'Tiger Alam' of Lakshimpur district and

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

Amanullah alias Buro were also arrested.

Police said a Rab team from Rajsahi raided the house of BNP leader Mokhlesur Rahman Bablu at Loksed area in Iswardi and arrested Bablu, Sahin, Alek and Tiger Alam while they were holding a "secret meeting" there.

Rab recovered one pistol and some ammunition from their possession.

Police said Alek had gone to the BNP leader's houses a day before the arrest but could not ascertain why he went there.

Kushtia police said Alek was a "listed criminal" accused in three cases filed with the Sadar police station.

Another source said Alek fled from Kushtia town and took shelter at the house of Iswardi BNP leader Bablu when Rab launched its operation in Kushtia.

A Rab team also raided the house of Iunus Ali Mintu at College Road and arrested him. Later Rab recovered a rifle from his family graveyard.

Rab handed all of them to police, which produced them before a Magistrate court. The court sent them to Pabna jail.