Gunshots, explosions heard as commando operation continues

Gunshots and explosions were heard between 6:30am and 7:30am on Monday as the ‘Operation Twilight’ led by Bangladesh Army Commandos continues at the suspected militant hideout at Shibbari area in South Surma upazila of Sylhet city.

Residents in the area said they emerged from sleep with the sound of gunshots and explosions in the morning.

Security has been tightened in the area. The Sylhet police have restricted public movement in two square kilometres of the militant hideout, witnesses added.

Meanwhile, two suspected militants have been killed during the ‘Operation Twilight’ at the militant hideout since Saturday.

The army operation enters the third day on Monday.

The army said completion of the operation is being delayed as the residential building has turned into a death trap due to a lot of improvised explosive devices (IED) set by the militants inside the house.

At about 2:30am on Thursday, police spotted the militant hideout and cordoned off the residential building. Later, members of the specialised law enforcement agency SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) joined the police team around 3:40pm on Friday, and cordoned off the suspected militant hideout.

A team of the army para-commando force started 'Operation Twilight' led by GOC Major General Anwarul Momen of 17 Infantry Division from Sylhet's Jalalabad that took part in an operation in the deadly militant attack in Dhaka's Gulshan cafe, at the house on Saturday.

Source: Prothom Alo