The Special Response Battalion-3 (SRB-3) has arrested three alleged active members of a sabotage group in separate drives in the capital's Shahbagh and Paltan areas, recovering a locally made one-shooter gun, a shotgun cartridge and two knives, officials said.
Acting on intelligence, an SRB-3 team conducted a drive in front of Gate No. 1 of Osmani Memorial Auditorium under Shahbagh Police Station at around 9:30pm on Monday.
The team arrested Md Arman, 23, son of Islam Shikdar, of Char Fasson in Bhola, and Manik Khan, 23, son of Riaz Khan, of Bakerganj in Barishal.
A locally made one-shooter gun weighing about 1.06kg and a green shotgun lead cartridge were recovered from Arman's possession, according to SRB-3.
Later, at around 9:55pm, another operation was conducted inside Matiur Rahman Park under Paltan Police Station. SRB-3 personnel arrested Md Mehedi Hasan, 23, son of Rafiq Akhan, of Chandpur Sadar.
Based on information provided by Mehedi during the operation, the security personnel recovered two knives with wooden handles, each measuring about two feet in length, five wooden sticks and a steel rod measuring around 1.5 feet.
According to SRB-3, the three suspects admitted during preliminary questioning that they had allegedly been involved in various sabotage activities in Shahbagh, Paltan and other important areas of Dhaka for a considerable period.
The authorities said the suspects allegedly acted as organised and active members of the group and had kept locally made weapons in their possession in violation of the Arms Act, 1878.
Legal proceedings have been initiated against the arrested individuals, SRB-3 said.
