The shadows of Dhaka’s notorious criminal past are expanding once more as multiple “Star” groups resurface in the city’s underworld, sparking fresh waves of concern.
Criminal elements are reportedly reorganising to assert dominance through a lethal mix of extortion, drug trafficking, and arms trading, bolstered by an arsenal of highly sophisticated weaponry.
While the infamous “Seven Star” and “Five Star” groups dominated the 1990s, police intelligence now identifies the “Four Star” group as the primary force controlling crime in the Mirpur and Pallabi areas.
The group first drew significant attention following the murder of Jubo Dal leader Golam Kibria in Mirpur. They have returned to headlines following the Tuesday night murder of top terror Naim Ahmed Titon in Dhaka’s New Market area.
This surge in violence, despite ongoing police and intelligence operations, has raised questions regarding the political or influential shelter these groups may be receiving as they remain active with modern weapons.
Experts suggest that only a combination of intensified police raids and heightened intelligence surveillance can effectively neutralise these “star” criminals.
‘Four Star Group’
The ‘Four Star’ group emerged in the Mirpur and Pallabi zones several years ago. Led by the top terror Mamun, the syndicate includes key members such as Ibrahim, Shahadat, and Muktar. Sources allege that these leaders are pulling the strings of the underworld while hiding abroad.
Despite their physical absence from the country, criminals operating under their command are implicated in a wide range of crimes, including murder, extortion, and snatching.
RAB investigators found the group directly involved in the November 2025 murder of Pallabi Thana Jubo Dal member secretary Golam Kibria, citing political rivalry and a struggle for local dominance as motives.
Beyond violent crime, the “Four Star” force is active in the scrap (jhoot) business, drug trade, and land grabbing. They are also heavily involved in the illegal arms trade, with significant quantities of weapons and ammunition recovered from them during various operations.
Collection of modern weapons
The landscape of illegal weaponry in Dhaka is shifting; while M-16 and AK-47 rifles were previously the standard, terrorists are now increasingly opting for high-tech small arms.
The arsenal currently in use includes foreign pistols, Beretta 92FS handguns, Israeli-technology Uzi (Tour) pistols, various calibre shotguns, revolvers, and even pen guns.
These weapons typically enter Bangladesh through the borders with India and Myanmar, changing hands multiple times before reaching the capital’s criminal gangs. Police have confirmed the use of such sophisticated weapons in several recent homicides.
Listed top terror Imamul Hasan Helal, alias Picchi Helal, told the TIMES of Bangladesh, “Four Star group has close ties with top terror Sanjidul Islam Emon. Together, they are controlling the underworld.”
He further alleged that Emon and Four Star group were directly involved in the murder of Titon, which took place on Tuesday night.
When contacted, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Detective Branch (DB) Chief and Additional Commissioner Md Shafiqul Islam told TIMES, “One group often tags another with various names. They use these monikers to frighten people and evade law enforcement.”
He added that operations are currently underway to arrest the perpetrators, noting that apprehending the shooters in the Titon murder case will be key to uncovering the masterminds.
In the 1990s, the “Seven Star Group” was formed under top terror Subrata Bain, with members including Molla Masud, Murgi Milon, Khandakar Tanvir Islam Joy, Tikka, Tofael Ahmed Joseph, and Mashiur Rahman Kochi.
Simultaneously, the “Five Star” group, led by Liakat, featured notorious figures such as Picchi Hannan, Kala Jahangir, Bikash, Prokash, and Nitel.
These groups, which flourished under political patronage, primarily controlled lucrative contracting work for the Public Works Department (PWD), Education Engineering Department (EED), Roads and Highways Department (RHD), Nagar Bhaban, Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), National Sports Council, and Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
They frequently engaged in violent clashes over extortion and dominance, leading to a series of murders that challenged law enforcement.
In 2001, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced rewards for the capture of key members. While many were subsequently killed in RAB “crossfires” or arrested, some members of these original gangs have been released from prison on bail since 5 August 2024.
Now, the “Four Star” group has emerged by mirroring the patterns of these notorious predecessors.
Tauhidul Haque, associate professor at the Institute of Social Welfare and Research, Dhaka University and a crime expert, told TIMES, “Criminals take advantage of people’s interest in adjectives before names.
“They create ‘Star Gangs’ to spread fear quickly, choosing names they believe will cause the most panic.”
Haque noted that while they model themselves on past underworld legends, law enforcement can suppress them by focusing on their criminal activities regardless of the names they adopt.
