Attacker of Sholakia Eidgah massacre was NSU student

MNA National Desk: Law enforcement agency has recognized the suspected attacker of Sholakia Eidgah massacre as he was a student of North South University (NSU).

Anwar Hossain Khan, Kishoreganj SP, confirmed to media that Abir Rahman, who was killed in a firefight, is a BBA final-year student of the private university, had been missing since March.

Abir hailed from Comilla’s Debidwar and his father is Sirajul Islam. The family lived in Block-D at Bashundhara Residential Area in capital Dhaka. Ashikur Rahman, Abir’s elder brother, identified him from the photos and videos published in the media.

Ashikur also said the family had lodged a General Diary (GD) with Bhatara Thana police after he went missing in March. After completing ‘A level’ from Bangladesh International Tutorial, Abir had enrolled at NSU for BBA degree.

Two police constables also were killed when a police detachment guarding the Sholakia Eidgah ground came under a bomb attack on Thursday morning, minutes before the main prayers began.

A Hindu housewife died from a drift bullet during the gunfight between police and the attackers. Police said the blast also left 13 others, including seven policemen, injured.

RAB arrested another youth with bullet wound as a suspect on Thursday, who has been recognized as Shafiul Islam alias Abu Mokaddel from a madrasa in northern district of Dinajpur.

Besides, Shafiul Islam Sohan alias Mukaddil, an alleged militant who was arrested after an attack on police also had been missing for over two years. His family members also went into hiding after his involvement in the attack spread around.

Visiting Mukaddil’s house at Dakkhin Devipur village in Ghoraghat upazila of the district, it was found that it was locked from outside.

However, the law enforcement agencies have alerted the guardians to many youths from well-off families leaving their homes to join militant groups.  Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has urged the parents to inform the police if any of the children in their families are missing.