An armed gang, allegedly followers of the fugitive terrorist Sajjad Ali, carried out a broad-daylight attack on an internet service provider (ISP) in Chattogram city on Monday after failing to extort Tk2 crore.
The attackers ransacked the office of Digital Dot Net (DDN), located on the Chandanpura-Bakalia Access Road under Chawkbazar Police Station, at approximately 12:30pm and reportedly looted Tk35 lakh in cash.
According to the victims and police, DDN Director Ridwanul Kabir had received a threatening call from a foreign number prior to the incident. The caller, identifying himself as “David Imon” (Mubarak Hossain Imon) of the “Sajjad Group”, demanded a one-time payment of Tk2 crore and monthly Tk10 lakh to allow the business to operate in the city.
In a leaked audio recording of the conversation, Imon was heard issuing a 24-hour ultimatum, warning that if the money was not paid, the firm must cease operations so their ‘associates’ could take over the business.
During the call, Imon claimed to be the second-in-command of the Sajjad Group. To further intimidate the businessman, he cited a previous shooting incident at the residence of Smart Group owner Mujibur Rahman and claimed that all traders in the Oxygen, Hathazari, and Muradpur areas were already “coordinating” with their group.
CCTV footage showed a group of 15 to 20 armed youths entering the DDN premises. Carrying local weapons and axes, they smashed computers, furniture, and other office equipment. Director Ridwanul Kabir said the attackers seized Tk35 lakh, which had been kept on-site to pay employee salaries.
Chawkbazar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Nur Hossain Mamun confirmed that police have inspected the scene and are conducting a serious investigation. “We are looking into the matter, and a case will be filed as soon as a formal complaint (Ejahar) is lodged,” the OC said.
The incident, involving extortionists using the names of fugitive criminals, has sparked widespread panic among the local business community.
