Deported Bangladeshi met Gulshan attack suspect in Malaysia

A Bangladeshi man who was among four arrested in Malaysia for terror links had met one of the suspects involved in the Dhaka cafe terror siege on July 1, the media reported on Friday.

The 37-year-old Bangladeshi businessman used his restaurant in Bukit Bintang in Malaysia to meet terrorist Andaleeb Ahmed, who was involved in the attack on Holey Artisan Cafe in Gulshan, an affluent area with many embassies where 22 hostages were killed, mostly foreigners.

He was deported to Bangladesh on September 2.

"The authorities believe that the suspect was planning attacks in his home country.

"He even had regular meetings with many of his countrymen," the Daily Star quoted a source as saying on the condition of anonymity.

The source added that the suspect was also responsible for smuggling AK-47 rifles into Bangladesh.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said the businessman was among four men arrested by the Bukit Aman Special Branch Counter Terrorism Division between August 2 to September 17.

"The (Bangladeshi) suspect was arrested on August 19. He was placed in Interpol's Red Notice and was deported on September 2," Khalid said in a statement on Thursday.

Three others arrested in the special operation included a 38-year-old Nepalese businessman, a 26-year-old Moroccan and a 34-year-old Malaysian.

It is believed that the businessman whom the suspect worked for ran a car import business in Port Klang.

"He has been involved into Islamic State since 2014," a source said.

--IANS

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