Tuesday, February 18

Operation Twilight Sylhet Atia Mohol: The fourth day of the shootings and grenade explosions intermittently


 

 

Sounds of explosion and gunshots were heard on Monday morning from the suspected militant hideout at Shibbari of South Surma upazila in Sylhet as commando operation entered third day.

Local people said they constantly heard the sounds of gunshots and explosions from 6:30am to 7am, and heard that intermittently from 7:00am to 7:30am.

The operation, ‘Twilight’, led by Bangladesh Army‐led forces, is underway for the fourth day amid tight security around the building.

Meanwhile, a case was filed against unidentified people over the incident of two separate bomb attack near the hideout and death of six people. The Mohlabazar police Officer-in-charge Khairul Fazal said Sub-inspector (SI) Shiplu Chowdhury filed a case under murder and explosive acts against unidentified people.

The local people are suffering as the gas and power supplies have been cut off since Saturday.

Aftabul Kamal Reki, one of the dwellers of Shibbari area, said sounds of gun firing were heard with intervals. He and his families could not have a sound sleep due to the noise of firing.

Aftabul, also the joint general secretary of Baraikandi union Awami League, said local people cannot move easily due to Army’s restriction. Some of the residents also left the area as gas-power cut.

Strict security measures have been taken around the militant hideout. Even, the journalists and reporters were requested to move away from the spot. Earlier, on Sunday morning, local administration banned public gathering by imposing section 144 around four kilometre from Atia Mahal.

On Sunday, two suspected militants were killed as the operation, ‘Twilight’, at the suspected militant hideout continued.

Brigadier General Fakhrul Ahsan during a press briefing on Sunday afternoon said it will take more time to end the operation as the militants inside the building are well-equipped with arms.

‘The para commandos will continue the operation until they take control of the house,’ said the Brigadier General.

Eight people, including two militants and two police officials, were killed and at least people 40 injured in three separate incidents, including bomb blasts near Atia Mahal, since the operation began on Friday morning.