A renewed surge in underworld activity has raised alarm over law and order in the capital, as several of Dhaka’s top listed criminals – many long considered dormant – have resurfaced, triggering a series of killings linked to internal rivalries.
Multiple sources within the police, intelligence agencies and the criminal network say a number of the most wanted figures, some recently released on bail after nearly two decades, are now operating recklessly.
While several remain abroad, others are in hiding within the country. Despite staying out of public view, many are reportedly leading affluent lives with their families, financed by extortion money both at home and overseas.
Concern deepened following the murder of Khandaker Naeem Ahmed Titon on Tuesday night. Four days on, no arrests have been made. Investigators from the Detective Branch (DB) of Police and the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) are reviewing multiple CCTV recordings to identify the suspected shooter.
Titon’s killing in the New Market area, coming after the earlier murder of Mamun in Old Dhaka, has intensified fears of escalating turf wars.
Law enforcement agencies, including the DB and RAB, have launched operations to track down active syndicates. A senior official acknowledged that the pattern of killings points to coordinated underworld conflict rather than isolated incidents.
A social scientist has questioned how individuals listed as most wanted are continuing to orchestrate killings from both within the country and abroad. Crime analysts say stronger police operations and intelligence activities could help contain the situation.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police Acting Commissioner Md Sarwar told TIMES of Bangladesh on Saturday that the list of top terrorists is being regularly updated. “Action will be taken before they rise to the occasion,” he said.
Network run from shadows and abroad
Interviews with sources close to the underworld suggest that key masterminds continue to control operations remotely. They reportedly possess modern small arms and carry out targeted killings through structured planning.
Jisan Ahmed Monti is said to be coordinating extortion, contracting and other crimes across Moghbazar, Malibagh, Rampura, Badda, Gulshan and Motijheel from Dubai. Although Haris Ahmed and Tofail Ahmed Joseph are based in Hungary, they maintain influence over Mohammadpur and Hazaribagh.
Amin Rasul Sagar, also known as Tokai Sagar, has lived in the United States for over two decades and recently reconnected with local criminal groups during a visit to the country. Zafar Ahmed Manik and Imam Hossain reportedly move between several Indian states while controlling networks in Mohakhali, Khilgaon and Motijheel.
Prakash Kumar Biswas and his brother Bikash Kumar Biswas are settled in France, though Bikash is said to maintain regular contact with networks in Mirpur, Pallabi and Kafrul, guiding emerging operatives.
Sanjidul Islam Emon, after his release from prison, travelled through Malaysia and Thailand using a Cambodian passport. Information from his close associate Khandaker Saeed Akhter Ripon indicates he later moved across South America and is now living in Brazil with his family.
Arman, based in India, continues to run a gang active in the Malibagh-Moghbazar area. Shamim Ahmed, known as Aga Shamim, is also in India while extortion continues in his name in Banani and Gulshan.
Members of the Four Star Group, including Mamun and Shahadat, are said to be directing operations in Mirpur, Pallabi and Kafrul from Malaysia.
Khandaker Tanvir Islam Joy reportedly relocated from India to Dubai before travelling to Malaysia and Thailand, with reports of investment in a cosmetics business in Dubai. Killer Abbas is believed to be in Malaysia while overseeing contracting operations in Kafrul, Kachukhet and Ibrahimpur.
Among those recently released on bail, Sweden Aslam has returned from Thailand and is active in Tejgaon, Panthapath and Karwanbazar. Imamul Hasan, known as Picchi Helal, is also in the country, reportedly involved in leasing and contracting in Mohammadpur. Khorshed Alam Rasu, also known as Freedom Rasu, remains active through associates in Kalabagan and Ramna.
DB Chief and Additional Police Commissioner Shafiqul Islam said efforts are under way to apprehend both local and overseas operatives. “Those active abroad and those operating within the country will be brought under the law,” he said.
A trail of blood: 61 murders in three months
Police data show a sharp rise in murders. Between January and March this year, 61 killings were recorded in the capital – 21 in January, 16 in February and 24 in March. At least 15 people were killed in the first 28 days of April alone. Nationwide, 854 people were killed during the same January-March period.
Several high-profile cases point to entrenched conflict. On September 20, 2024, a case was filed at Mohammadpur Police Station accusing six individuals, including Picchi Helal, over the hacking deaths of two young men, Nasir and Munna, at the Rayerbazar embankment.
On the night of January 10, 2025, businessman Ehteshamul Haque was hacked in a dispute over control of the Multiplan Center shopping mall on New Elephant Road, with Emon and Picchi Helal named and later blaming each other.
Top listed figure Tariq Sayeed Mamun was shot dead in public near a court in Old Dhaka on November 10, 2025. Investigators believe the killing was carried out on Emon’s orders. In an earlier attempt on September 18, 2023, gunmen targeting Mamun instead killed lawyer Bhuban Chandra Shil near BG Press in Tejgaon.
In May 2025, amid disputes over control of internet and dish businesses and extortion in Badda, Kamrul Ahsan Sadhan was shot dead. Authorities also link top criminals to the killings of Juba Dal leader Golam Kibira in Mirpur and Swechchhasebak Dal leader Mosabbir in Karwanbazar.
Criminologist Touhidul Haque, an associate professor at the Institute of Social Welfare and Research at Dhaka University, said top criminals rarely appear in public but continue to direct operations from hiding.
He noted that sustained police operations and intelligence-based interventions using informants could help bring the situation under control.
