Top Magura HuJi, JMJB leaders still evade arrest

Police said, they are hunting for the two militants including HuJi leader Abu Sufian of Khamarpara village in Sreepur upazila, who was arrested earlier along with 39 other militants in 1999 by army.

Abu Sufian, 45, was arrested when he was training militants at a camp in a jangle in Rangamati. He was released on bail in the case following an order from higher court.

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Police are also hunting for JMJB top cadre Yousuf of Madhabpur village in Magura Sadar upazila for his suspected involvement in the August 17 blasts in the district town.

According to the different intelligence agencies and locals, Abu Sufian fought Soviet soldiers in Afghanistan as a 'Mujahid'.

Villagers in Khanarpara are also aware of Abu Sufian's activities as a 'mujahid' in Afghanistan.

"On several occasions I heard stories about Afghan war from Abu Sufian. It was exciting when Sufian would describe how he fought Soviet soldiers in Afghanistan", a villager seeking anonymity told this correspondent during a recent visit to the village.

Intelligence sources said, Sufian was also arrested by BDR (Bangladesh Rifles) when he tried to cross the border to go to Afghanistan illegally after US soldiers attacked Afghanistan. He was released after about two months.

Sufian is absconding since August 17, police said.

Son of Hazi Hasan Ali, Sufian studied at a madrasha in Faridpur district.

After his marriage with Rebeka of adjoining Tafsirpur village, he used to stay at his father-in-law's house.

Yousuf, 23, son of Dabir Munshi of Madhabpur village, is absconding since the August 17 blasts.

"Yousuf used to stay in the village before the bomb blasts and people even from Chittagong, Rajshahi and Jhenidah came to meet him", a villager said.

According to the intelligence sources, Yousuf went to Rajshahi about six months back and took training at a JMJB camp on how to operate arms and use bombs.