Lawmen started an operation that has been named as Operation Eagle Hunt at a suspected militant hideout in Shibganj upazila of Chapainawabganj this evening.
SWAT members began the anti-militancy drive around 6:44pm, said Abdul Mannan, additional deputy commissioner of Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime unit.
Heavy sounds of gunshots and explosions were heard from the cordoned-off house in Shibnagar village after the operation started.
The one-storyed house in Shibnagar village under Mobarakpur union was under siege since dawn. The residents of the house were asked to surrender peacefully, but they did not respond. Earlier in the day, gunshots were also heard from the spot.
Police fired five blank shots to warn the militants inside and were evacuating locals to safe area, Habibur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Shibganj Police Station said.
Gomstapur circle police Superintendent Mainul Islam said that a shot was fired on lawmen from the house. However, none of the lawmen were injured thus far as reported.
Restriction on gathering of people – Section 144 – has been imposed on the area since 6:00am, Shafiqul Islam, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Shibganj said.
In the meantime, a team of Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) has reached the spot, our correspondent reports from the spot.
Gomstapur circle police Superintendent Mainul Islam said there could be four people inside the house including a militant named Abu, his wife and two children.
Our Chapainawabganj correspondent reports quoting locals, the house was rented free of cost to one Abu, 30. One Saidur Rahman, 75, owner of the house, gave him the living quarters.
According to Abu’s mother Fulsana Begum, his full name is Rafiqul Islam. He is married to one Sumaiya Begum and is the father of two daughters Nuri, 8, and Majida, 6.
He used to study in a madrassa and was married nine years ago.