United News of Bangladesh

Five hired attackers have been arrested in connection with the stabbing of Dr Ahmad Hossain, deputy director of the National Cancer Hospital in the capital’s Mohakhali area, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) said on Tuesday. The arrestees were identified as Shariful Alam alias Karim, Aminul Islam alias Kalu, Sajjad alias Bodi, Salauffin and Arifuzzaman The elite force said the attack was carried out to intimidate the physician amid a dispute between two groups over a hospital tender. Miscreants stab Mohakhali cancer hospital's Deputy Director in Dhaka Briefing reporters at the RAB Media Centre in Karwan Bazar, RAB Director (Legal and Media) Wing Commander M Z Entekhab Chowdhury said the victim was attacked with sharp weapons, leaving him injured in the hand and back. He was first taken to the National Cancer Hospital and later shifted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where he is currently undergoing treatment. A case was filed with Banani Police Station by a hospital administrative official against 8–10 unidentified attackers following the incident. RAB said it intensified intelligence surveillance immediately after the attack and conducted drives based on collected evidence.  Five suspects were arrested from different parts of the capital in a joint operation by RAB-1 and its headquarters’ intelligence wing. During preliminary interrogation, it was learned that the attack stemmed from a dispute between two group over a tender at the National Cancer Hospital. Hired assailants were engaged to carry out the attack, RAB said, adding that no political involvement has been found. According to RAB, the two rival groups involved are ‘Rubel’s EM Traders’ and ‘Monayem Group’. Rubel, who is currently in Malaysia, allegedly ordered the attack, while his associates in Bangladesh, including one Karim, executed the plan. RAB officials said the attack was carried out in exchange for Tk 20,000. Based on its nature, investigators believe the intent was to intimidate rather than kill the victim. The RAB official said investigators got important leads after speaking with the injured doctor, which helped identify and arrest the suspects within a short time. Efforts are underway to bring the main planner, who is currently abroad, under the law, he added.