New turn in probe as some 'Gandhi' surfaces as mastermind
Investigators found that the money used for attacks on Gulshan cafe and Eid-ul-Fitr congregation in Sholakia was sent through Habib Bank principle branch. However, the Daily Observer individually failed to verify the information.
The money was send from Pakistan, another law enforcing agency said. Meanwhile, Monirul Islam, Additional Commissioner of Police and chief of Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime unit said at least Tk 13 lakh came into Bangladesh via hundi transfer (an illegal system).
Law enforcers identified three prominent teachers of two universities who received the money. Among them two are from University of Chittagong and the other from Kushtia
Islamic University. Sources told the Daily Observer on Monday, "We are trying to catch them. Most of the money was spent on house rent and buying of weapons." Police are yet to figure out who had sent it.
The investigation found a new dimension with the advent of one Rajib Gandhi alias Subhash Gandhi alias 'Gandhi' who is believed to have had a prominent role in the deadly Gulshan and Sholakia terrorist attacks. The DMP's counterterrorism unit chief Monirul Islam on Monday said police are yet to find the real name of the terrorist they are after.
He said his name surfaced during investigations and he is known to have served the JMB as the commander of the outfit for the North.
Speaking to journalists at the DMP office at the capital, Monirul said, "He sent two terrorists prior to the Gulshan attack and one terrorist prior to the Sholakia attack from North Bengal, all of whom he had personally trained."
He said they have received information about two more terrorists -- 'Ripon' and 'Khalid' who are known to have fled to India following the April murder of Rajshahi University Prof AKM Rejaul Karim Siddiqui.
"Ripon and Khalid are in India.....we've received such information....we have no input about their return to the country," he said.
Replying to a question, Monirul said investigating agencies believe that Rajib Gandhi is in the country. "Our operation is on. We are trying to arrest him", he said.
When asked about the status of the investigation, Monirul said they had obtained a "larger picture" when they started the investigation into the Gulshan attack. Twenty-two people including 17 foreigners lost their lives when militants mounted an unprecedented attack on the Holey Artisan Bakery in Gulshan on the night of July 1. The next morning's military operation led to the killing of five terrorists while 13 hostages were rescued alive.
Terrorists struck again within a week on July 7, this time on the largest Eid-ul-Fitr congregation in Sholakia.
