Dhaka, Jan. 1 -- Former BNP home minister Lutfozzaman Babar has asserted that the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) was "never politically exploited" during the party's tenure from 2001 to 2006.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday after visiting the grave of former prime minister Khaleda Zia in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Babar recalled his close working relationship with the party chairperson.

"When I requested anything, [Khaleda] granted it without hesitation. On the RAB's formation, we never used it politically, not even for an hour. No one can claim otherwise, and no proof exists," he said.

Babar oversaw the RAB during its inception on Mar 26, 2004. Later, the RAB faced widespread allegations of extrajudicial killings in "crossfire" incidents, c...