DHAKA: It was Hurkat-ul-Jihad militants who attacked the anti-terrorism Awami League rally on Bangabandhu Avenue on August 21, 2004 and at least a dozen Huji commanders led the blitzkrieg, says a kingpin of the Islamist outfit.
The grenades used in bombarding the meeting were supplied from the residence of Maulana Tajuddin, younger brother of Abdus Salam Pintu, former deputy minister of the BNP-led 4-party alliance government, investigators quoted Jindal as telling them.
Huji leader Mufti Moyeenuddin alias Abu Jindal gave the information to the CID during interrogation at the Taskforce Interrogation (TFI) Cell Sunday, according to the investigators.
Following the quizzing, Special Police Super of the CID and investigation officer of the 21st August grenade attack case Abdul Kahhar Akand briefed journalists about the disclosure.
According to the sources in CID, Abu Jindal confessed to having all their connections with the grenade attack on the first day of five days of interrogation as part of reinvestigation of the sensational case of deadly grenade attack that was a close call for the present Prime Minister.
Jindal admitted that he was the coordinator of the operation and he threw grenade on Women Awami League president Ivy Rahman, also wife of President Zillur Rahman.
On interrogation, Abu Jindal also admitted that the detailed plan of attack and the placements of the commanders were finalised by him. His own position was on the south side of the stage truck.
“After I blasted the first grenade, targeting Sheikh Hasina and Ivy Rahman, all other members of the team charged their grenades,” he was further quoted as saying in detail about the execution of the plot.
Confirming the versions of Abu Jindal, Investigation Officer Abdul Kahhar told banglanews that his confessions would help them settle the case fast.
Jindal was arrested by RAB from Baniarchala area of Gazipur on February 14, 2008. Since then, he has been taken to the interrogation cell thrice so far.
At least 10 militants were arrested, 41 arges grenades recovered from Satkhira on the information tipped by Jindal on interrogation, Kahhar added.
BDST 1602 HRS, SEP 20, 2010
