Bangladesh arrests seven in Dhaka over alleged extremist network posing as martial arts group
Bangladesh authorities have arrested seven people in Dhaka's Jatrabari area over allegations that an extremist network was operating under the cover of martial arts training and religious programmes. A court in the capital later sent the accused to three days' remand after police sought seven days to question them. The case centres on claims that the group used a martial arts organisation as a front for militant activity.
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Police said the case was filed on 11 July by Inspector AB Siddiq of Jatrabari Police Station and named 16 people, along with several unidentified suspects. The accused were brought before Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Monirul Islam, who granted the remand order. Authorities said they want to identify absconding suspects and determine the purpose of the alleged "Fatah Combat System".
The people named in the report include martial arts instructor Shah Amanat Sabir, Md Junaid, Ataullah Shah, Md Abidur Rahman, Hossain Tanim and Tahsin Islam, also known as Sultan Musanna. Investigators told the court that the accused were carrying out militant activities under the cover of religious programmes and martial arts. They also alleged that members were being recruited to help establish a caliphate.
The arrests add to concerns in Bangladesh about the use of ordinary social or religious settings as cover for alleged extremist organising. Martial arts clubs and training groups can be difficult for authorities to monitor if they are used to mask other activity, which is why the court process and remand request are significant in this case. The allegations, if proven, would point to a structured effort to build a network rather than isolated conduct.
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The case also highlights the role of the criminal justice system in handling national security allegations. Police used Section 54 of the Code of Criminal Procedure in making the arrests, according to the report, and then sought further custody to continue the investigation. The defence, however, rejected the allegations and said the accused were only teaching martial arts and had no militant links.
What remains unclear is how far the alleged network extended, whether the absconding suspects will be found, and what evidence investigators say links the group to extremist activity. It is also not yet clear how the alleged "Fatah Combat System" was organised or what role each accused person is said to have played. The next stage is likely to focus on police questioning, the search for additional suspects and any further court action.
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