The Detective Branch (DB) of police on Monday claimed to have unravelled the motive behind the fatal shooting of Jubo Dal activist Md Yusuf in Dhaka's Kafrul, saying four hitmen were hired for Tk 25 lakh to assassinate a local Jubo Dal leader but they ended up killing Yusuf during a confrontation after being challenged by locals.
Addressing a press briefing at the DMP Media Centre, Additional Commissioner (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Shafiqul Islam said the July 24 shooting was the result of a failed contract killing targeting Kafrul Thana Jubo Dal Member Secretary Hafizul Islam Babu.
He said the attackers had travelled from Magura and Jhenaidah to carry out the planned assassination.
However, during the operation, Yusuf was shot dead while two bystanders – vegetable vendor Nalam Sardar and Md Monir Hossain – sustained critical injuries, the DB chief said.
Police have so far arrested eight people in connection with the case. They are Chanchal, Jihad Molla, 30, Ziarul Molla, 39, Masum Billah, 28, Nahid Hasan, 21, Abir Hawlader, 25, Ali Hossain, 45, and Shafin Ahmed, 22.
According to the DB chief, the attack stemmed from a long-running dispute between Kafrul Thana Swechchhasebak Dal Joint Convener Hafizur Rahman Hafiz, also known as CNG Hafiz, and Babu over household garbage collection, roadside businesses and the possession of a tin-shed house.
He said four professional killers from Magura and Jhenaidah had been hired for Tk 25 lakh to kill Babu.
The first assassination attempt on June 29 failed after the firearm malfunctioned while being loaded. The suspects later returned to Dhaka on July 22, stayed at a hotel in Mirpur-2 and prepared for the attack on the night of July 23.
When local people questioned the identities of the suspects near Babu's office, they claimed to be residents of Mirpur-10. As locals attempted to search them, one of the attackers opened fire, fatally shooting Yusuf and injuring two others, Shafiqul said.
He said detectives launched a parallel investigation alongside Kafrul Police Station. Using information technology, investigators first arrested Nahid and Shafin and later detained Ziarul, Ali, Jihad and Masum from different districts. Chanchal and Abir were caught by locals and handed over to police.
Responding to a question about possible involvement of senior political leaders, the DB official said criminals will be treated as criminals regardless of their political identity.
He said the arrestees told investigators that Hafiz had hired them to carry out the attack.
Investigators also suspect the planned killing may have been linked to the upcoming councillor election. Hafiz has been identified as the alleged mastermind and efforts are underway to arrest him.
Police said one firearm has been recovered, while efforts are continuing to trace the source of the remaining weapons. Two separate cases – one for murder and another under the Arms Act – have been filed at Kafrul Police Station.
The murder case is now being investigated by the DB, while drives are continuing to arrest the remaining suspects.