The Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has claimed to have unravelled the mystery behind the murder of Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Jubo Dal activist Yusuf Ali in Dhaka’s Kafrul area.
According to DB sources, four professional killers were hired from Magura and Jhenaidah for Tk25 lakh to assassinate Hafizul Islam Babu, the member secretary of Kafrul Thana Jubo Dal. However, the gunmen missed their intended target and killed Yusuf instead during the planned attack.
Eight individuals have been arrested so far in connection with the incident. They have been identified as Chanchal, Jihad Mollah, 30, Jiarul Mollah, 39, Masum Billah, 28, Nahid Hasan, 21, Abir Hawlader, 25, Ali Hossain, 45, and Shafin Ahmed, 22.
Additional Police Commissioner of DB Shafiqul Islam provided these details during a press briefing at DMP Media Centre on Monday.
He said Yusuf was shot dead by armed miscreants on south link road of Opex Garments in Kafrul. Two others, vegetable vendor Nalam Sardar and Md Monir Hossain, were also shot and seriously injured in the same incident.
Following the attack, local residents caught Chanchal with a weapon and Abir Hawlader as they attempted to flee, handing them over to the police. The deceased’s elder brother, Md Masud Rana, subsequently filed a murder case at Kafrul Thana.
The feud and the conspiracy
Police investigations revealed a long-standing dispute between Hafizur Rahman Hafiz, also known as “CNG Hafiz,” the joint convener of Kafrul Thana Swechchhasebak Dal, and Hafizul Islam Babu.
The rivalry reportedly involved control over local waste management (garbage) tenders, footpath shops, businesses, and the possession of a tin-shed house.
It is alleged that CNG Hafiz hired professional assassins for Tk25 lakh to eliminate Babu. An initial attempt was prepared on 29 June, but the plan failed when pistol misfired while being loaded. The suspects returned to Dhaka on 22 July, staying at a hotel in Mirpur 2 to finalise the attack.
On the night of 23 July, the suspects were positioned in front of Babu’s office. When questioned about their identity, they claimed to be residents of Mirpur 10. As Yusuf and others attempted to search them, one of the assailants drew a weapon and shot Yusuf in the chest.
Political involvement and motive
Addressing questions regarding the involvement of top-tier leaders, Additional Commissioner Shafiqul Islam said the investigation may reveal further links, but further said that criminals would be treated as such regardless of political identity.
He added that since 5 August, political affiliations have been observed in 30–35 murders in Dhaka, and the police are not concealing these identities.
The investigation further suggests that the attack may have been planned with the upcoming councillor elections in mind. CNG Hafiz has been identified as the mastermind and remains at large.
The DB confirmed that part of the Tk25 lakh contract had been paid in advance, including hotel and food expenses for the hitmen.
While one weapon has been recovered, police are still tracing the source of others. Two separate cases under the Penal Code and Arms Act have been filed at Kafrul Thana, with the murder case currently under DB investigation. Operations are ongoing to arrest remaining suspects.
