Police have identified six individuals involved in the broad-daylight assassination of Jubo Dal leader Maksudul Haque Chowdhury Masud, 45, in Raozan, Chattogram.
Analysis of CCTV footage and recovered photographs has confirmed their identities. According to intelligence reports, the notorious “Raihan Force”, led by Raozan’s top terrorist Raihan, is behind the killing.
The incident took place at approximately 1:15pm on Saturday in front of Ashrafia Pharmacy at Pahartali Bazar in Raozan Upazila.
Eyewitnesses and intelligence sources said six to seven armed members of the Raihan Force arrived at the scene in a CNG-run auto-rickshaw and launched a sudden attack on Masud. The assailants fired eight to 10 rounds at him from point-blank range, targeting his waist, underarm, and head.
The victim’s face was disfigured by the gunfire, and he died on the spot. The killers subsequently fled the scene via the Pahartali-Raozan road.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) of the Rangunia Circle Mohammad Belayet Hossain confirmed that six of the assassins have already been identified through video and still images.
“We have identified those involved, and they are in the final stages of being arrested,” the ASP said. He added that their names are not being disclosed at this time to avoid compromising the ongoing investigation.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the assassination may have been triggered by a long-standing dispute and internal conflict between two groups over the sand extraction business.
The deceased, Masud Chowdhury, was the Senior Joint Convenor of the Rangunia Upazila Jubo Dal. He was the son of the late Khalek Chowdhury of Betagi Union in Rangunia and was known as a very close follower of Rangunia BNP lawmaker Humam Quader Chowdhury.
News of the assassination sparked intense anger among party activists. On Saturday afternoon, followers of the deceased staged a protest in the Pahartali area.
The local atmosphere remains tense, and police patrols have been intensified to prevent further untoward incidents. Police confirmed that operations are continuing to swiftly apprehend the accused.
