Law enforcers today claimed arrest of eight leaders including the “key man” of banned militant outfit Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB).

Detective Branch (DB) and forces from police headquarters detained them from Uttara in Dhaka in a raid last night, a message from Dhaka police said.

The arrestees were: JMB’s acting ameer Abu Talha Mohammad Fahim alias Pakhi, Md Shafiqul Islam, Md Ruhul Amin, Md Emdadul Haque, Rafique Ahmed alias Royal, Md Mostafa, Md Shakhwat Ullah and Md Ali Ashraf Rajib.

Detective branch Joint Commissioner Monirul Islam later held a press briefing at DMP media centre where the alleged militants were paraded before the media.

Jihadi books, leaflets, CDs, 10 mobile phones and a motorbike during the drive, he said.

On primary interrogation, the militants said to have admitted plans for carrying out subversive activities against noted persons and organisations, the DB official said.

They have allegedly set links with the Islamic State militants in the Middle East.