The Special Response Battalion (SRB-4) has arrested eight people, including seven members of the notorious ‘Four Star’ group, during raids in Dhaka’s Pallabi and Rupnagar areas.
A foreign pistol, one round of live ammunition, Yaba pills, and sharp weapons were seized from their possession.
SRB-4 Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Md Hafizur Rahman disclosed the arrests on Wednesday, saying the operations were conducted in the Ceramics and No 12 Jhilpara areas under Pallabi Police Station. The eighth arrestee was identified as a member of the Moktar group.
The arrestees were identified as Md Jewel Rana, 26, Md Saymon, 20, Md Ramzan, 22, Md Bijoy, 23, Md Fazle Rabbi Chiku, 23, Md Afsar Hossain Jim, 19, Md Jahangir Hossain and Md Mission Islam alias Minhajul Islam.
According to SRB-4, Afsar Hossain Jim and his associate Saymon were arrested from a residence in Pallabi, where a foreign pistol and one round of live ammunition were recovered.
Jim, described by SRB-4 as an emerging shooter of the Mashiur-Mamun faction, faces allegations of land grabbing, holding victims captive in hotel rooms for blackmail and extorting money from various establishments.
Saymon is accused of involvement in arms supply and shooting incidents.
During the raids, SRB-4 personnel also seized 25 Yaba pills and Tk16,000 from Jahangir, who already faces two narcotics cases.
Hafizur Rahman said Bijoy and Ramzan each faced two cases, while Rabbi faced one and Mission two.
According to SRB-4, members of the groups have been involved in establishing territorial dominance, land grabbing, extortion, displaying firearms and other criminal activities in Pallabi and Rupnagar.
Videos showing such activities circulated on social media, triggering fear and unrest among local residents, the force said.
SRB-4 also reported that a journalist’s residence had come under attack and gunfire following news reports on juvenile gang crimes.
The eight arrestees were handed over to the relevant police station for legal action.
SRB-4 said operations against juvenile gangs would continue.
