Dhaka: Home Minister Aaaduzzaman Khan on Saturday said military wing chief of the banned militant outfit Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) major (dismissed) Ziaul Hoque alias Maj Zia will be arrested very soon as now he is under the surveillance of intelligence agencies.

‘Drives have been carried out in Gazipur and Tangail based on intelligence reports. Major Zia will be arrested anytime,’ he said replying to a question after distributing clothes among the underprivileged people on the occasion of Durga Puja at Sri Sri Lokenath Brahmachari Ashram in the city’s Shamibagh area.

The minister said a number of militants have already been arrested, and the remaining ones are under the surveillance of law enforcement agencies.

Earlier, addressing a discussion at Dayaganj Shib temple, he said a vested quarter is involved in destroying the country’s communal harmony. ‘But there’s no place of militants in the country. Militants won’t be allowed to take shelter in Bangladesh,’ he added.

The minister said security has already been beefed up across the country centering Durga Puja. ‘We hope, no unpleasant incident will take place over the religious festival,’ he added.  

Dhaka North City Corporation arranged the discussion programme.