Dismissed army member Naimul Islam arrested on charges of sabotage: ISPR

Dismissed army soldier Md Naimul Islam has been arrested on allegations of planning sabotage and attempting to incite unrest, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) today (17 May).

The ISPR stated that since 5 August, Naimul had been collaborating with several other dismissed or discharged ex-military personnel to make provocative statements in the media and plot subversive activities. 

"He planned a large-scale act of sabotage disguised as a protest rally at the entrance of Dhaka Cantonment on 18 May, and had been actively causing incitement through social media platforms," reads the statement.

To deter such disorderly conduct, a team from the army attempted to make contact with Naimul around 2:00pm today in the Khilkhet Bot Tola Bazar area. However, Naimul, along with several associates, allegedly launched a sudden attack with locally-made weapons on the military personnel present, said the ISPR.

A nearby army patrol team quickly intervened, leading to the arrest of Naimul and two of his associates, the statement further said.

The ISPR also noted that Naimul had previously been dismissed from service due to multiple disciplinary violations, including allegations of demanding dowry from his wife, and committing both physical and mental abuse.

Legal proceedings against him are currently underway, it said.