Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch (DB) has arrested five people, including two professional shooters, over the murder of top criminal Tariq Saif Mamun (55) in Old Dhaka.
The arrested suspects are shooters Faruk alias Kutta Faruk and Robin, and three associates Yusuf, Rubel, and Shamim. According to DB, Faruk and Robin carried out the killing in exchange for Tk2 lakh, supplied by Roni, the alleged mastermind behind the murder. Police also recovered two pistols, ammunition, cash, and a motorcycle used in the crime.
DB officials said Roni, a former grocery shop owner turned notorious criminal from Kafrul, planned the murder amid a long-running feud between underworld figures Emon and Mamun. Seeking dominance in the area, Roni ordered Mamun’s killing, provided the weapons, and paid the shooters. He is currently absconding, and efforts are underway to arrest him.
At a press briefing held at the DMP Media Centre on Wednesday, Additional Commissioner (Detective Branch) Mohammad Shafiqul Islam said Mamun was shot dead on 10 November in front of the National Medical College Hospital. Two assailants opened fire, critically injuring Mamun, who later died at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
Following the incident, DB launched a shadow investigation, analysed CCTV footage, and identified the culprits. Subsequent raids in Sylhet, Narsingdi, and Dhaka led to the arrest of the five suspects.
DB teams apprehended Faruk, Robin, Shamim, and Rubel from Narsingdi’s Velanagar area on November 11 at around 9:50pm, seizing Tk1.53 lakh, part of the payment from Roni. The investigation later led to the recovery of two foreign-made pistols, six rounds of bullets, and two magazines from Yusuf’s residence in Rayerbazar.
According to police, on the eve of the murder, Roni summoned Robin to his house to plan the attack. The next morning, Robin and Faruk went near the court area, guided by an accomplice named Kamal, who tracked Mamun’s movements. Once Kamal confirmed the target’s location, Faruk and Robin opened fire, killing Mamun before fleeing the scene.
After the murder, the weapons were handed over to Rubel, who later hid them at Yusuf’s house. Roni then sent Tk2 lakh through Rubel, who distributed Tk 1 lakh each to the shooters. The trio – Faruk, Robin, and Shamim – were later sent to Sylhet to evade arrest. Roni confiscated their phones to avoid police tracking.
While in Sylhet, Robin and Rubel attempted to cross into India but failed. They were later detained by DB officers in Dhaka while trying to reach the Satkhira border.
Another man shot dead in Badda
Within 48 hours of the aforementioned murder, a man named Mamun Shikdar (39) was shot dead late Tuesday night (November 11) in the Commissioner Goli area of Middle Badda, Dhaka.
According to locals, a group of unidentified assailants opened fire on Mamun before fleeing on a motorcycle. He died on the spot. Police later recovered the body and sent it to Dhaka Medical College Morgue for autopsy.
Badda Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Saiful Islam confirmed the incident, saying the deceased was believed to be a day labourer from Algi village, Dumki upazila, Patuakhali. Mamun did not live in the house where he was killed, the OC added, noting that an investigation is underway to determine the motive behind the shooting.
