Dhaka: The newly reformed Neo JMB (Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh) had created a large fund through donations from their backers before carrying out the attack on Gulshan's Holey Artisan Bakery and Cafe on July 1.

Three leaders of the Islamic outfit—Rokonuddin Khandker, Major (retd) Jahidul Islam, and Tanvir Kaderi—donated the money to create the fund for the Gulshan attack, said Additional Commissioner and head of Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime unit of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Monirul Islam.

Rokonuddin Khandker of Khilgaon reportedly fled to Syria along with his family members, while Major (retd) Jahidul Islam and Tanvir Kaderi were killed in Rupnagar and Azimpur in Dhaka during separate raids by the police and CTTC.

Relying to a question during a briefing in DMP's media centre on Tuesday, Monirul Islam said Rokonuddin donated Tk 80 lakh, while Maj(Retd) Jahid, a commander of Neo JMB, donated all the money he got as his retirement benefit and Tanvir Kaderi donated money he got from selling his Uttara apartment.

The CTTC head added however that many other people also donated money into the fund. Investigation is underway in this regard, he added.

A total of 28 people, including 20 foreign nationals, six attackers and two senior police officials were killed in the attack in the city's diplomatic zone that also left 20 policemen injured.