Chattogram is currently grappling with a chilling surge in professional hit squads, as sophisticated contract killing networks extend their reach across the port city and its surrounding districts.
While law enforcement agencies have managed to apprehend several shooters, the masterminds and financiers orchestrating these cold-blooded executions remain largely beyond the reach of the law.
This alarming trend was most recently underscored by the daylight assassination of Maksudul Haque Chowdhury Masud, a senior Jubo Dal leader, on 13 June – an incident the investigators have officially classified as a professional “contract killing.”
Investigation and patterns of crime
Investigating officer of the case, Sub-Inspector Mohammad Rajet of Raozan Police Station, said the victim had no personal, family, or local disputes with the attackers.
Masud was a resident of Rangunia, while the attackers hailed from different parts of Raozan, making the nature of the contract killing evident. CCTV footage identified five armed participants in the mission.
Although 11 individuals have been accused in the case and two have been arrested, the primary suspects remain fugitives.
On 10 May, a youth from Raozan named Mohammad Hasan, also known as Raju, was shot dead in the city’s Raufabad area. Investigative sources suggest hired criminals were also involved in this murder.
The victim’s family maintained that Raju had no prior acquaintance or conflict with the assailants.
A murder case filed by the victim’s mother at Bayezid Bostami Police Station against unidentified persons revealed that the attackers were members of a hired criminal syndicate residing in Raozan, Fatikchhari, and the city’s Chandgaon and No 2 Gate areas.
According to investigators, a common characteristic has emerged in recent killings – there is no direct link between the victims and the attackers. Instead, professional criminals are executing these missions in exchange for a specific sum of money.
A press release from the Chattogram District Police noted that the investigation into the murder of Abdul Hakim in Raozan on 7 October last year also uncovered the involvement of hired killers, as confirmed by the confessional statements of arrested suspects in court.
Syndicate and political links
Law enforcement sources suggest that several notorious criminals in Chattogram are currently being utilised as hired killers in various political and personal disputes. Despite facing multiple murder charges, these individuals have established extensive networks.
If one shooter is arrested, the network is quickly replenished with new members.
Reports indicate that since 5 August 2024, at least 24 people have been killed in Raozan alone. Most of these incidents are linked to political rivalry, the pursuit of dominance, and revenge, with allegations that hired criminals were used in the majority of cases.
Crime analysts warn that the most dangerous aspect of contract killings is the lack of a direct relationship between the killer and the victim, which makes it difficult to identify the motive and the masterminds, thereby prolonging the judicial process.
While police stations maintain lists of various categories of criminals, there is no separate official list for “hired killers.”
The role of top criminals
Masud Alam, superintendent of police (SP) for Chattogram District, stated that the police have information regarding those involved in contract killings and are maintaining surveillance. He confirmed that evidence of hired killers’ involvement was found in the murder of Jubo Dal leader Masud, and operations to arrest those involved are ongoing.
Police officials highlighted that Mohammad Raihan, a top Raozan-based terrorist, has been named in the highest number of cases. He faces 16 charges, including eight for murder, all of which were filed after 5 August 2024 across the city and district.
Investigators have evidence that the notorious Raihan has carried out multiple murders for hire.
Sources claim that Jubo Dal leader Maksudul Haque Chowdhury Masud was murdered for a contract worth Tk50 lakh. It is alleged that a local chairman candidate commissioned the killing.
Raihan’s gang reportedly executed the mission. Raihan previously operated as a hitman for Sajjad Ali (known as Big Sajjad), who is currently abroad, but Raihan has since formed his own independent gang.
As the violence continues, victimised families are questioning why the masterminds and financiers remain untouched even when shooters are caught. They fear that unless these organisers are brought to justice, the “business” of contract killings in Chattogram will only continue to expand.
