RAB Director General (DG) M Khurshid Hossain said that if the operation against the new militant organization Jamaatul Ansar Phil Hindal Sharqiya was not conducted then there could have been a bigger sabotage than Holey Artisan. He said that RAB foiled the plan of the militants by carrying out operations whenever the militants raised their heads. On the occasion of the 19th founding anniversary of the Elite Force Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), the RAB DG said these at the darbar organized at the RAB headquarters in Kurmitola in the capital on Sunday. Home Minister was present there as a special guest.
M Khurshid Hossain said that since its inception, RAB has been playing an important role in recovering militants, pirates, drugs, illegal firearms and ammunition, protecting communal harmony and arresting accused in sensational cases.
Expressing his gratitude to the Prime Minister, RAB DG said, under your greatness, RAB Forces has become a strong and capable three-dimensional force on land, air and sea.
He said, RAB has stopped the attempt to consider Bangladesh as a failed state by sowing the seeds of militancy of a self-interested group. Extremists have also been stopped by taking ordinary people with them. RAB has arrested 18 accused in the charge sheet of the grenade attack case.
Claiming that Bangladesh is now a role model in the world in fighting terrorism, the RAB chief said, RAB forces are working relentlessly in the light of zero tolerance policy in fighting terrorism. RAB has arrested top level militant leaders including JMB's top leader Shaikh Abdur Rahman, Siddiqur Rahman alias Bangla Bhai and Khaled Saifullah alias Farooq.
M Khursheed Hossain said that an anti-independence gang formed a new militant organization named Jamaatul Ansar Phil Hindal Sharqiya in 2019 by merging some members of various militant organizations to create a situation of violence to destroy the peace of the country. He said, "This organization had a long term plan. We conducted operations against this new militant organization and arrested hundreds of members and brought them under the law."
He said, if the operation was not conducted against this new militant organization, there could have been a bigger sabotage than Holey Artisan. RAB foiled their plans by carrying out raids whenever the militants raised their heads.
Stating that RAB has been conducting nationwide anti-narcotics operations following the policy of zero tolerance against drugs, the Additional IGP said that Yaba has been able to seize large consignments by conducting large-scale operations. RAB is determined to protect the youth from drugs and make the country drug free in the light of zero tolerance policy.
He said that RAB's activities are continuing to rid the Sundarbans of pirates.
The RAB DG said that the film 'Operation Sundarban' has played an important role in bringing the sacrifices and achievements of RAB to the public for a pirate-free Sundarbans. The proceeds from this film are being spent on rehabilitating surrendered pirates. RAB has gained the trust of the people as a fast response force in any national disaster, including severe floods in Sylhet, cold currents. This force is always ready to help in any disaster.
He mentioned that RAB is now much smarter, organized, self-confident, strong and has become the main professional force in crime suppression than any time in the past.
