Security forces mount raid on Sylhet building

Security forces have started a raid on a house at Shibbari of Sylhet's Dakshin Surma, suspecting it to be a militant hideout.

A team of counter-terror officials from capital Dhaka has been surrounding the five-storey building from 3am Friday, said Sylhet Metropolitan Police's Additional Commissioner Rokonuddin.

"Police fired back after a grenade was hurled towards them from the house," he told.

The main operation will begin once a SWAT team, travelling from Dhaka in a helicopter, reaches the location, he said.

Suspected militants were reportedly holed up inside one of the units on the building's ground floor. People in nearby houses have been moved to safety, police said.
There were 30 flats inside the building 'Achia Villa', said its owner Ustar Ali.

Flat no-4 on the lower storey was rented by a couple, Kausar Ali and Morjina Begum, three months ago, he said. Kausar claimed he was an audit official for Pran Foods Ltd.

"All the rules were followed in the process. I have copies of both their national IDs. They have been paying rent regularly."

Local residents said they have heard sounds of explosions and gunfire.

Police were seen positioned around the building during a visit to the location in the morning.

They were also in alert positions in nearby rooftops. The two roads that lead to the building have been sealed off.

Police have been using loudspeakers to instruct the trapped residents of Achia Villa to close their doors, windows and remain inside the building. 

Source: bdnews24