An operative of the banned militant group Ansar al Islam has confessed to a Dhaka magistrate that he was planning to attack the Bangladesh parliament on May 5 as per instruction of its leader Ali Hasan Osama, known as "Banglar Osama" (Osama of Bengal).

Metropolitan Magistrate Debabrata Biswas recorded the confessional statement of Md Al Sakib after Kazi Mizanur Rahman, an inspector of Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime unit of police and also the investigation officer of the case, produced him at his chamber on completion of his seven-day remand in two phases.

After recording the statement, the magistrate sent Sakib to Dhaka Central Jail in Keraniganj.

In his statement, Sakib told the magistrate that being inspired by provocative speeches on YouTube and Facebook and as per the direction of their spiritual leader Ali Hasan Osama, he planned an attack on Jatiya Sangsad on the night of May 5, court sources said, the Daily Star reported.

Earlier, Osama had directed all of his followers across the country for executing the plan, Sakib claimed.

In line with the direction, Sakib asked his accomplices to gather in front of Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban with black flags, but before the attack, he was arrested.

Meantime, Osama was sent to jail on completion of his seven-day remand in two phases in the same case.

Counter-Terrorism unit arrested Sakib from Dhaka's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area around 7:45 pm on May 5 while Osama was arrested from Rajbari district on the same day.

(SAM)