Dhaka’s criminal landscape has grown increasingly volatile in recent months, with police and intelligence agencies warning that armed shooters pose a major security threat ahead of the 13th parliamentary election.
According to multiple intelligence agencies and police records, authorities have identified 104 suspected shooters operating across 49 police stations in the capital. The list was compiled amid fears that these individuals could be involved in targeted killings during the election period.
The list has been circulated by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Crime Division to its eight divisional units, with instructions to track down and arrest those named.
However, none of the listed shooters have been detained so far. While some firearms have been recovered during routine operations, officials say these seizures represent only a fraction of the weapons believed to be held by the underworld.
DMP Additional Commissioner (Crime and Operations) SN Nazrul Islam told TIMES of Bangladesh that the list includes individuals previously involved in murders using firearms.
“We have prepared the list based on police records and intelligence reports,” he said. “Efforts are under way to arrest them.”
Criminologists warn that preventing targeted killings remains a major challenge for law enforcement, particularly during election periods.
Tawohidul Haque, associate professor at the Institute of Social Welfare and Research at Dhaka University, said targeted killings occur for multiple reasons, including political dominance and electoral rivalry.
“Just preparing a list of shooters is not enough,” he said. “Special operations are needed to arrest them. The ongoing ‘Devil Hunt’ operation has failed to instil fear among criminals. They remain active.”
Senior officials from DMP Crime Division said a series of high-profile killings has heightened concerns about candidate safety ahead of the election. Victims of targeted attacks include Jubo Dal leader Golam Kibria in Pallabi, top criminal Tariq Saeed Mamun near the court premises, and Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Moncho, on Paltan Culvert Road.
Following these incidents, authorities compiled the shooters’ list using criminal dossiers and intelligence assessments.
However, officers say none of the suspects are located at their registered addresses. Many avoid court appearances, regularly change mobile numbers, and maintain covert operations within the criminal underworld. Intelligence officials say they possess modern firearms and continue to operate discreetly.
After the list was prepared, another targeted killing took place in West Tejturi Bazar, where Swechchhasebak Dal leader Mosabbir was shot dead.
Demand for small arms
Sources familiar with the criminal underworld say small arms are the preferred weapons for targeted killings. Many shooters are skilled in using pistols and revolvers.
Weapons such as pipe guns, sawn-off rifles, OG rifles, AK-47s and M-16s are now rarely used in Dhaka’s crime scene. Instead, criminals favour firearms including CZ pistols, Beretta models, 9mm pistols, eight-shot and nine-shot revolvers, and Taurus weapons. Firearms manufactured in Italy and Spain are particularly popular, as shooters believe they are less prone to malfunction.
These weapons are acquired both through purchase and rental, according to underworld sources.
DMP Joint Commissioner (Crime) Md Faruk Hossain said the shooters’ list includes updated information on pending cases against each suspect.
“None of them has been arrested yet,” he said.
401 ‘floating criminals’ identified
Intelligence officials have also identified 401 criminals described as highly risky to Dhaka’s overall security. These individuals are involved in various crimes and are considered “floating criminals” due to their frequent changes in location.
Officials say many regularly change mobile numbers, with some using foreign phone numbers. They operate through multiple criminal groups and sub-groups and are linked to crimes including murder, extortion and robbery. Under their protection, teenage gangs have also expanded their influence in neighbourhoods across the capital.
With the election approaching, intelligence officials say these criminal groups have become more active, openly attending rallies, conducting motorcycle processions and moving freely in public.
Despite the deployment of joint forces, law enforcement activity remains largely routine, with patrols continuing but no major special operations reported in Dhaka or elsewhere in the country.
According to police data, the highest concentration of criminals is in the Motijheel division, where 118 individuals — including contract killers — are active. This is followed by Wari with 73 criminals, Tejgaon with 61, Mirpur with 60, Ramna with 36, Lalbagh with 24, Gulshan with 16 and Uttara with 13.
By area, Motijheel alone accounts for 106 criminals, followed by Pallabi with 42, Mohammadpur with 39, Kadamtali with 34, Shyampur with 21 and New Market with 20.
Motijheel Zone Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Harun Or Rashid said the Crime Division is working based on the shooters’ list and regularly updating criminal records to guide operations.
Intelligence officials say the list of criminals changes with shifts in the political landscape. Some offenders go into hiding, others leave the country, while new names are added.
DMP Additional Commissioner (DB) Shafiqul Islam told TIMES that the Crime Division is conducting operations based on the list, while other joint forces are carrying out their assigned duties.
