The army arrested Subrata Bain and Molla Masud, two listed criminals accused in multiple murder cases, along with two more accomplices in a three-hour operation in the Kalishankarpur area of Kushtia town on Tuesday morning.
A senior official stated that further details would be provided later.
Subrata Bain and others will undergo initial interrogation before being transferred to Dhaka, with additional information to be shared at a press conference, according to the official.
The arrest is considered highly significant by the administration. Intelligence officials suspect that fugitive top terrorists, including Bain, are linked to recent terrorist activities in the capital.
At a press conference at Dhaka Cantonment in the afternoon, ISPR Director Lt Col Sami-ud-Daula Chowdhury said terrorists Subrata Bain and Molla Masud, along with two associates, were arrested following an extensive intelligence-driven operation.
The 100-hour operation, led by the 46th Independent Infantry Brigade, began at 5:00am on Tuesday and spanned Kushtia and Hatirjheel in Dhaka.
Based on covert intelligence, the army apprehended Subrata Bain alias Fateh Ali, Abu Russell Masud alias Molla Masud, and their shooters, Arafat and Sharif.
The operation yielded five foreign pistols, 10 magazines, 53 rounds of bullets, and a satellite phone.
Lt Col Sami described Subrata and Masud as key leaders of the Seven Star gang and among the 23 top terrorist groups listed by authorities.
He highlighted their involvement in murder, extortion, and sabotage across the country. “This operation, executed without casualties or clashes, reflects the professionalism and dedication of our forces,” he said, crediting months of meticulous intelligence work and planning.
The operation was supported by the Military Operations Directorate of Army Headquarters, the 55th Infantry Division, the 14th Independent Engineer Brigade, the 71st Mechanized Brigade, and the National Security Intelligence (NSI).
Lt Col Sami urged the public to report suspicious activities to the nearest army camp or law enforcement agency. “Following the Army Chief’s clear directives, the Bangladesh Army remains fully committed to ensuring internal security and protecting lives and property. We stand with the people and always will,” he affirmed.