Dhaka, July 26 (UNB) - The police crackdown on the militant den at ‘Taj Manjil’, which locals call ‘Jahaj Bari’ due to its structure, at Road No-5 of Kalyanpur has created a heavy and scary atmosphere in the neighbourhood as locals were barely aware of such a threat in their vicinity.

One of the residents of the opposite building of ‘Taj Manjil’, wishing not to be named, said he heard the sounds of firing in several spells overnight as it started around 12:30 am.

He also saw the militants wearing black dresses and carrying arms and knives, the man said while talking to UNB.

‘The militants also shouted to police saying -- you (police) are wearing bullet-proof jackets, but we’re wearing the jackets of jihad. We’ll die for Islam and Allah,’ the man added.

He saw police taking position in different nearby buildings to fire shots towards the militants.

While visiting the spot, this reporter found four ‘to-let’ ads hanging from the balcony of the 1st floor of the building.

Some residents of the area said they see such ads on the building throughout the year.

Most of the residents of the house are students, they also noted.

Earlier in the day, nine suspected militants were killed in police firing during an operation by a special team of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) in the city's Kalyanpur area early Tuesday.