Dhaka, Oct 12 (IANS): Five activists of the banned Islamist outfit, Jamaa'tul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) were arrested for their involvement in attempting to murder a priest in Pabna district, the media reported on Monday.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Alamgir Kabir said those arrested included 'regional commander' of the militant outfit, Rakibul Islam Rakib, 30, bdnews24 reported.
"During initial interrogations, they admitted that the attack on the priest was to create instability and tarnish Bangladesh's image," Kabir said.
On October 5, three assailants attacked Father Luke Sarkar, 50, at his residence in Ishwardi town.
Sarkar, the priest at the local Baptist Mission's Faith Bible Church of God, managed to escape with an injury on his throat.