A Dhaka court on Monday placed dismissed Lieutenant Colonel Md Afzal Nasir Bhuiyan on a six-day remand in a murder case over the killing of Delwar Hossain during the July movement in Mirpur.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Hasibullah Pias passed the order after police produced the accused before the court.
Earlier, Detective Branch Sub-Inspector Kafil Uddin, the investigation officer of the case, sought a seven-day remand, saying detailed interrogation was required to uncover the full circumstances of the incident.
According to the remand application, on 19 July 2024, Delwar Hossain, 40, was present at the Mirpur-10 Fruit Market area around 3:20pm in support of the student movement. At that time, 500 to 700 activists of Awami League and its associate bodies, along with other accused, allegedly opened indiscriminate fire under the direction of Afzal Nasir.
Delwar sustained bullet injuries and collapsed at the scene. He was first taken to the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases in critical condition.
As his condition worsened, he was shifted to City Care General Hospital in Shyamoli on 20 July for advanced treatment. He died there on 21 July.
Following the incident, the victim’s family filed the case. The remand plea stated that preliminary investigation has found sufficient evidence of the accused’s involvement.
Police said custodial interrogation is necessary to establish the motive and ensure a proper investigation.
Detective Branch personnel arrested Afzal Nasir early Monday from a residence on Road No. 12, House No. 864, in Mirpur DOHS.
Earlier, detectives arrested the dismissed army officer during a raid in the same area but did not immediately disclose the reason for the arrest.
Afzal Nasir was dismissed from the army on 5 November 2009. He joined the force on 4 July 1984 and hails from Senbagh in Noakhali.
His name resurfaced in public discussion over his alleged role in operations carried out by the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence during the army-backed caretaker government.
He was linked to allegations of interrogation, torture, intimidation and extortion during that period.
He also faces another murder case related to the killing of Bahadur Hossain Monir, who was shot dead on 19 July 2024 in Shahjadpur during student-led protests.
The case was filed on 30 September that year with Gulshan Police Station, naming Afzal and others.
Afzal previously worked as an administrative officer at United Group. He also served in the Anti-Terrorism Unit of DGFI during the One-Eleven period under Brigadier General ATM Amin. Allegations of torture and abuse during that time frequently mentioned his name.
