Police have arrested six individuals, including the prime suspect and mastermind, in connection with the murder of Mohammad Hasan alias Raju in Bayazid Bostami area in the port city.
The arrests were made during a series of raids conducted from Monday night until Tuesday morning across various locations in Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar.
During the operation, law enforcement recovered a foreign-made pistol, one magazine, two rounds of ammunition, and the CNG-run auto-rickshaw believed to have been used by the assailants during their escape following the attack.
The information was disclosed at a press conference held at Bayazid Bostami Police Station by Deputy Commissioner of Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) North Division Md Amirul Islam.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Syedul Karim, 27, the alleged main shooter; Md Abdul Mannan, 37, the auto-rickshaw driver; Md Yunus; Md Ayatullah Ali Adnan, 21; Md Abu Bakkar Siddique alias Khokon, 48; and Azgar Ali alias Bacha Mia, 39.
Deputy Commissioner Md Amirul Islam said that investigators believe the murder was premeditated retribution and linked to a longstanding dispute in Kadalpur area of Raozan.
According to the police, the victim, Raju, was an accused in the murder of a man named ‘Madhu Nasir’ in Kadalpur area of Raozan about two weeks prior.
The suspects, most of whom are also from Kadalpur, had spent approximately a fortnight planning the attack to avenge Nasir’s death.
The fatal incident occurred on 7 May around 9:45 pm in front of a rented house in the Banshbaria Gali of Roufabad.
Raju was shot at close range and died on the spot. During the attack, an 11-year-old girl named Reshmi Akter was also shot in the eye. She is currently on life support at a local hospital.
Deputy Commissioner stated that investigators identified the getaway vehicle by analysing CCTV footage and intelligence reports.
The driver, Abdul Mannan, was the first to be apprehended, and his testimony led to the arrest of Syedul Karim.
Police subsequently recovered the murder weapon and a blood-stained T-shirt from Karim’s residence.
Official records indicate that several of the suspects have prior criminal records; Abu Bakkar Siddique faces six existing cases, while Karim and Azgar Ali are also named in multiple criminal proceedings.
The CMP has confirmed that cases have been filed under the Murder and the Arms Acts.
“The injured child, Reshmi Akter, will certainly receive justice,” Deputy Commissioner Md Amirul Islam assured, adding that the investigation will be concluded swiftly and operations remain ongoing to apprehend others linked to the crime.
