Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) have uncovered startling details regarding an attempted murder of a shop owner at Kadamtali in Dhaka, revealing that a gang carried out the attack using two women as weapon “carriers” and a gunman dual-wielding firearms.
Police have arrested five suspects – Monjurul Islam, Iqbal, Kalu, Aklima Akter Runia, and Sonia Yasmin – recovering two firearms, nine rounds of live ammunition, and a pistol magazine.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) of DMP Wari Division Mallik Ahsan Uddin Sami disclosed the details at a press conference held at DMP Media Centre on Mintu Road on Wednesday.
According to police, at around 8:15pm on Saturday, miscreants entered “M/s Lucky Crokeries” on Zia Sarani in Kadamtali police station area and fired indiscriminately at the shop owner, Md Aslam Khan.
CCTV footage of the attack subsequently went viral on social media.
Aslam Khan suffered gunshot wounds to the right side of his face and his left elbow, and was taken to hospital for treatment.
Following the incident, local residents helped apprehend Monjurul Islam at the scene, from whom police recovered a revolver, nine rounds of live ammunition, and a pistol magazine, alongside bullet casings and a motorcycle from the spot.
Based on information provided by Monjurul, police conducted a drive in Kadamtali that night to arrest Iqbal and Kalu, before raiding Dakshinkhan to arrest Aklima Akter Runia and Sonia Yasmin.
DC Mallik said CCTV analysis and interrogations confirmed six individuals were present at the scene during the attack, four of whom have been arrested while operations continue to track down the remaining two.
During questioning, Sonia Yasmin and Aklima Akter Runia confessed to working as weapon “carriers,” carrying firearms to the location concealed inside vanity bags.
The gang had gathered at a designated location after transporting the weapons from Uttarkhan and held a meeting before executing their plan.
Land dispute revenge motive
Police investigations revealed that the assassination attempt stemmed from a land dispute over a plot purchased by Aslam Khan and his associates, which had been occupied for a long time by one Jalil Mondol.
After a lengthy legal battle, Aslam Khan secured a court verdict in his favour, and on 17 August, magistrate-led eviction proceedings restored possession of the land to him.
Police suspect the murder plot was concocted out of grievance over losing possession of the land, with the suspects acting in collusion.
Investigators said the shooting was intended to kill rather than merely frighten Aslam Khan, also mentioning that he was targeted at close range and had tried to resist during the assault.
A case has been registered at Kadamtali Police Station, and the arrested suspects have been sent to court. Police drives are ongoing to arrest Jalil Mondol – the key figure behind the land dispute – along with two others involved in the incident.
Police added that ongoing investigations will determine the origin of the weapons, who delivered them to the attackers, and any other individuals behind the conspiracy.
