In a scene reminiscent of a crime thriller, bullets ripped through the morning air outside Dhaka National Medical College Hospital on Monday, killing Tarik Saif Mamun, whom police later identified as a top-listed criminal.
Officer-in-charge of Sutrapur police station Saiful Islam said the killing might be linked to a gang rivalry that resurfaced in recent months involving Mamun and his long-time rival Sanjidul Islam alias Iman, both once leaders of notorious ‘Iman-Mamun Gang’ that used to operate in Dhanmondi, Mohammadpur and Tejgaon areas.
Police and witnesses said two armed assailants opened fire at Mamun near the hospital gate and fled the scene immediately.
CCTV footages show the attackers firing multiple rounds of bullet before escaping.
Hospital staff member Mohibullah said they rushed outside after hearing gunfire and found Mamun lying on the road with bullet wounds. “He was taken first to National Hospital and then transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) where doctors declared him dead on arrival,” he said.
DMCH police outpost in-charge Md Faruk said the body has been sent for autopsy.
On September 18 in 2023, gunmen reportedly loyal to Iman opened fire fired at Mamun in Tejgaon Industrial Area around 10 pm, said police.
Though Mamun escaped unhurt, Bhubon Chandra Shil, a motorcyclist returning home from work in Gulshan, was struck in the head by a stray bullet.
He underwent brain surgery but finally he succumbed to his injuries on September 25 morning in 2023.
Police at the time said the Tejgaon attack was a failed assassination attempt on Mamun planned by Iman’s associates.
Both Mamun and Iman had long criminal records and were prime suspects in multiple high-profile murder cases including the killings of film actor Sohel Chowdhury and Saad Ahmed Tipu, brother of former army chief General Aziz Ahmed, said the OC.
Mamun was recently released on bail after years in prison.
Police have launched a drive to trace and arrest the killers with multiple intelligence units now coordinating the operation, said a police official requesting anonymity.