The joint forces arrested Ilfazur Rahman alias Ilfa, 54, a top leader of the Purba Banglar Communist Party, Janajuddha, and Ilfa Bahini, in an overnight drive in Khulna early Saturday.

He was arrested at his home at Lakhohati village under Dighalia.

During the arrest, law enforcement officials recovered one Indian identity card, two Aadhaar cards, one income tax card, two ATM cards, a locally made weapon, some medicines and 10 grams of hemp from his possession.

Officer-in-charge of Dighalia police station Md Shah Alam said that the Ilfa Bahini had been carrying out ‘criminal’ activities in the area for a long time.

Ilfa has multiple allegations against him, including involvement in murder, extortion, robbery and running drug syndicates.

The OC said that following intensified law enforcement operations, Ilfa fled to India at one stage. ‘A case has been filed against him with Dighalia police station.’