Dhaka: Police seized a huge cache of firearms, including an SMG and a hand-grenade, from a house in Mirpur area Friday that prompted government authorities to ring the security alarm.

Some jihad books and leaflets were also recovered from the scene during the raid.

Police claimed operatives of the banned Islamist outfit Jam’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh stored the arms and ammo in the house “for creating anarchy”.

A police team led by Mirpur Zone DC Imtiaz Ahmed raided the second-floor flat of the house at 70/Ka Uttar Bishil at about 12:30pm.  During the drive, they recovered 36 anti-grenades, one grenade, 40kg gunpowder, one SMG and one pistol with magazines, 18 bullets of 9mm gun and three bags of bomb-making explosives.  

Following the ammo haul, DMP Commissioner AKM Shahidul Hauqe visited the spot.

Later in a briefing, the city police boss told journalists, “It’s certainly a bid of JMB men to create indiscipline. They are likely taking preparation for launching subversive acts on a large scale.”   

The DMP chief smelt a rat that the arms dump could be linked to a plot against the war-crime trial that is now on. “Those who don’t want trial of war criminals may also be involved in it. Everything will be clear after investigation,” he said.  

Requesting all not to let out house to anybody without confirming names and addresses, Haque said,“If necessary, collect the tenant’s photograph, cell-phone number and photocopy of his ID card before renting the house,”  

House-owner Mosharraf Hossain informed that four youths rented his house on June 1 giving their identities as service-holders in private organizations.

“As they had not paid the house rent till July 10, I asked them to leave my house. They left the house on July 11 and I hang a ‘to-let’ signboard again,” Hossain elaborated.

The inside scenario came to light on Friday morning when the new tenant came to see the house, he said.

BDST 1643 HRS, JULY 30, 2010