In a significant operation, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested 10 individuals, including Ataullah Abu Ammar Jununi, the chief of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), from separate locations in Narayanganj and Mymensingh. The arrests occurred on March 16 and 17, 2025, during coordinated raids targeting suspected militant activities.
Ataullah had been residing in the Bhumi Palli Tower of Siddhirganj, Narayanganj, for approximately five months prior to his arrest. In November 2024, he rented a flat on the third floor of the building, citing health concerns and the need for proximity to hospitals in Dhaka. He presented himself as a fish trader from Chattogram. Due to the small size of the initial flat, he later moved to a more spacious unit on the eighth floor of the same building.
During their stay, Ataullah and his associates maintained a low profile. They seldom interacted with neighbors and limited their outings to essential activities such as attending prayers, purchasing necessities, and disposing of waste. This reclusive behavior left the local residents shocked upon learning about their true identities.
On March 16 and 17, RAB-11 conducted raids in the Bhumi Palli residential area of Siddhirganj and at Garden City in Mymensingh’s Natun Bazar. The operations led to the arrest of Ataullah (48), his second-in-command Mostak Ahmed (66), and eight other ARSA members: Moniruzzaman (24), Salimullah (27), Asmaul Husna (23), Hasan (15), Asmat Ullah (24), Md Hasan (43), Shahina (22), and a 17-year-old girl.
Authorities seized significant items from the detainees, including approximately 5.1 million Bangladeshi Taka, foreign currencies (US dollars and Malaysian ringgit), ARSA combat uniforms, mobile phones, knives, steel chains, and wristwatches. These findings indicate the group’s involvement in organized militant activities within Bangladesh.
Following the arrests, two cases were filed at the Siddhirganj Police Station under anti-terrorism and illegal border crossing laws. The court granted a 10-day remand for six of the accused to facilitate further investigation.
The local community expressed astonishment upon discovering that high-profile militants had been residing among them. Neighbors and building staff noted the detainees’ reserved demeanor and minimal social interactions, which, in hindsight, appeared to be deliberate attempts to avoid drawing attention.
Ataullah Abu Ammar Jununi is a prominent figure in the Rohingya insurgency, leading ARSA in its operations against Myanmar’s military. He has been implicated in several high-profile cases, including the assassination of Rohingya leader Muhibullah and the killing of DGFI officer Squadron Leader Rizwan Rushdi during a joint anti-drug operation in the Tumbru border area of Bandarban.
These arrests mark a significant development in Bangladesh’s efforts to combat militancy and ensure national security. The authorities continue to investigate the extent of ARSA’s network within the country and are taking measures to prevent future threats.
