Major Sadiq, the guerrilla trainer of Awami League terrorists, remanded for 5 days

A Dhaka court on Monday placed Md Sadiqul Haque, a former army major, on five days’ police remand in connection with a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act over allegations of providing guerrilla training to political activists.

After a hearing, Arifur Rahman, Metropolitan Magistrate of Dhaka, passed the order. The case is being investigated by the Detective Branch of Police (DB) under Bhatara Police Station.

According to the prosecution, investigation officer Md Jehad Hossain, inspector of the DB’s Gulshan division, had earlier sought a seven-day remand for Major Sadiqul Haque. Following arguments from both sides, the court granted five days instead. Public prosecutor Shamsuddoha Sumon confirmed the court order.

In the remand application, police alleged that from July 3 to July 8, the accused was physically present at the training site and provided guerrilla-style training to 300–400 leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Awami League and the currently banned Bangladesh Chhatra League. Investigators claimed that Major Sadiqul Haque served as the chief instructor during the programme and that sufficient evidence supports this allegation.

The application further stated that several co-accused previously arrested in the case gave confessional statements under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, admitting Major Sadiqul Haque’s involvement. Police argued that custodial interrogation was essential for a proper investigation.

Defence lawyers sought bail and opposed the remand plea, while the prosecution strongly contested the bail application. After hearing both sides, the court rejected bail and approved the remand.

According to the case statement, on July 8, a secret meeting was allegedly held by the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League at the KB Convention Centre near the Bashundhara area. From morning until evening, 300–400 participants, including Awami League activists, banned Chhatra League members, and retired government employees, allegedly attended the meeting and chanted anti-government slogans.

The complaint further alleged that the meeting discussed plans to mobilise people from across the country to Dhaka following instructions from former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, seize Shahbagh intersection, create nationwide instability, spread public fear, and facilitate her return to power.

The case was filed on July 13 by Sub-Inspector Jyotirmoy Mondol of Bhatara Police Station under the Anti-Terrorism Act. Investigation into the matter is ongoing.