United News of Bangladesh

Dhaka may witness a shift in its crime patterns in the coming weeks ahead of the national election as the intelligence agencies are apprehending a rise in acts of sabotage, arson attacks and politically-driven violence. In recent weeks, parts of the capital have experienced scattered incidents of crude bomb explosions, arson on vehicles and attempts to spread fear which the law enforcers see as early indicators of pre-election unrest. Additional Commissioner of DMP’s Detective Branch (DB) Shafiqul Islam said political groups which have been facing restrictions on activities may try to carry out bomb and arson attacks in Dhaka ahead of the polls to create an environment of fear. Read more: Awami League using looted money for acts of sabotage: Rizvi He said the government’s main mandate is to hold a free, fair and acceptable election and attempts may be made to derail or discredit that process. Intelligence Monitoring Strengthened The DB chief said several people linked to the recent arson and crude bomb blast incidents have been arrested who have given important clues about ongoing sabotage plans. “Interrogations have revealed the names of several instigators. They are being brought under the ambit of law,” he added. To prevent similar attacks, DB has strengthened surveillance through CCTV networks, human intelligence, electronic intelligence and coordinated field operations across the capital. Social Media Under Watch With the election approaching fast, law enforcers expect a spike in disinformation, manipulated videos and fabricated content on social media. Police submits chargesheets in 106 cases linked to July 2024 uprising Shafiqul Islam said a 24/7 monitoring committee made up of representatives from Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), National Security Intelligence (NSI) and other agencies is working to detect and address harmful content in real time. Any adverse material is being handled immediately, he said. Petty Crimes Stable According to DB, petty crimes such as theft and mugging remain generally under control in Dhaka. Shafiqul Islam said a few recent killings were linked to internal disputes among underworld groups. He stressed that these incidents do not reflect the city’s wider homicide trend and intelligence assessments show no major rise in petty crimes. Another senior official at DMP headquarters preferring not to be named said communal incitement and rumor campaigns may increase before the polls. He said political rallies may also carry a higher risk of clashes, prompting agencies to increase intelligence deployment before each event. Why Acts of Sabotage Rise Intelligence officials say targeted violence often rises before elections as political tension increases. Arson attacks on busy routes are often planned to cause maximum public fear. Suspect in Pallabi Jubo Dal leader murder dies after arrest Crude bombs are also used to create pressure and send political signals without large-scale damage, the DMP official said. He said sudden confrontations may escalate tensions and disrupt the electoral environment while propaganda campaigns on social media may attempt to mislead voters. On preparedness, he said law enforcement agencies have already intensified preventive steps. These include increased patrols on major transport routes, deployment of more plainclothes intelligence officers in politically sensitive zones, active automated systems for cyber monitoring and focused surveillance in trouble-prone areas. DB officials said enhanced surveillance, quick arrests and coordinated intelligence actions are expected to keep the overall situation under control. Read more: Saboteurs to be declared ‘Unwanted’ in Dhaka: DMP Commissioner 

Police have arrested the prime suspect and uncovered the motives behind the gruesome murder of Ashraful Haque, whose dismembered body was found inside two plastic drums near the High Court adjacent to the National Eidgah on Thursday in the capital. The arrested suspect has been identified as Mohammad Zarezul Islam, 39, according to the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police. DB officials said Ashraful Haque, 44, was a trader of onion and garlic at Hili land port in Dinajpur. On the night of November 11, Ashraful travelled from Rangpur to Dhaka with his friend Zarezul. After reaching Dhaka, Ashraful’s mobile phone was found switched off. On the evening of November 13, Shahbagh Police recovered 26 pieces of a dismembered body from two drums placed near the gate of the National Eidgah. Fingerprint analysis confirmed the identity of the victim, and his sister later identified the body at the morgue. A murder case was subsequently filed with Shahbagh Police Station. Following the incident, the DB launched a shadow investigation. Through CCTV footage analysis and technological tracking, investigators identified the movements of those involved. On Friday, November 14, DB personnel conducted a raid in Daudkandi of Cumilla and arrested Zarezul. Based on his information, a machete used in the killing was recovered from Sayedabad bus terminal, along with scotch tape and a hammer from a rented house. Briefing reporters at the DMP Media Centre on Saturday noon, Additional Commissioner (DB) Mohammad Shafiqul Islam stated that Zarezul, a Malaysia expatriate, had returned home about one and a half months ago. While abroad, he developed a relationship via the Bigo Live app with a woman named Shamima Islam from Cumilla. After Zarezul returned home, his wife discovered the affair, leading to marital tensions. She then sought help from Ashraful, giving him Shamima’s number in an attempt to dissuade Zarezul from the relationship. Instead, Ashraful himself became involved with Shamima. Trusted friend turns killer: How Jarez orchestrated trader Ashraful’s murder According to preliminary findings, Ashraful had promised to arrange Tk 14 lakh to send his friend Zarezul to Japan, of which Shamima was supposed to contribute Tk 7 lakh. In anticipation of the money and to meet in private, they travelled to Dhaka. They rented a house in Bank Colony under Demra Police Station on the afternoon of November 12, cleaned the residence together, and purchased basic household items including a mattress, pillows, and curtains. Police said the three engaged in physical relations mutually, but an altercation broke out when Ashraful insisted on unnatural acts with Shamima, which she refused. As she began crying, Zarezul became angry. Shamima then tied Ashraful’s hands under the pretext of the act. When Ashraful persisted, Zarezul struck him with a hammer. As Ashraful screamed, Shamima tied him with her scarf and scotch tape. Ashraful died from the assault and suffocation. Panicked after the killing, the duo stayed in the house with the body throughout the night. The next morning, they bought two plastic drums, polythene sheets, and a machete from local shops. In the bathroom, with the water tap running, Zarezul dismembered the body while Shamima assisted. They packed the remains into the drums and later hired a CNG-run autorickshaw. On November 13, they abandoned the drums on the footpath near the High Court water pump on the National Eidgah and quickly returned home. After collecting their belongings, Shamima left for Cumilla, while Zarezul initially planned to head to Rangpur but later travelled to a friend’s house in Cumilla, where DB personnel arrested him. Police say the investigation is ongoing, and legal action against those involved is underway. Meanwhile, RAB earlier said at a press briefing on Saturday morning that after the arrest of Zarezul’s girlfriend, Shamima Akhter, it was learned that Zarezul had planned to extort Tk 1 million from Ashraful by using her to lure him into a trap. Shamima told RAB that, under that plan, Ashraful was brought to Dhaka. However, it still remains unclear why he was killed instead of extracting the money. Read more: ‘Extramarital affair’ led to trader Ashraful’s murder: DB, RAB

‘Extramarital affair’ was behind the murder of trader Ashraful Haque, according to Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch (DB) and the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). Law enforcement agencies arrested two suspects on Friday (November 14) in connection with the murder, said DC (media) of DMP Talebur Rahman. Ashraful’s body — cut into 26 pieces — was recovered from two drums dumped near the National Eidgah ground in Dhaka on Thursday afternoon. Police arrested prime suspect Jorejul Islam from Daudkandi in Cumilla. Dismembered body found in plastic drum near National Eidgah in Dhaka RAB-3 members arrested  Shamima, identified as Jorejul’s lover and a key accomplice. She was arrested along with evidence related to the disposal of the body, it said. Investigators found that Jorejul had been engaged in an extramarital relationship which led to a conflict that ended in Ashraful’s killing, said DB and RAB sources. According to DB officials, the murder was pre-planned. After killing Ashraful, the killers cut the body into 26 pieces, placed them in two drums and later dumped them beside the National Eidgah, they said. Both agencies said further details on the arrests and the investigation will be shared on Saturday. Read more: Woman’s throat-slit body found in Gazipur; husband critically injured

Detectives' of DMP arrested former Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police AKM Nahidul Islam from Eskaton area in the capital on Saturday. Detective Branch (DB) Chief Additional Commissioner Shafiqul Islam said the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) issued a warrant for his arrest. Tipped off, a DB team arrested him and handed him over to the ICT authorities. Teacher arrested after two madrasa students beaten, case filed Nahidul Islam was promoted to DIG on July 11, 2023 while serving as Additional DIG of CID. It is alleged that during his tenure as Superintendent of Police in Meherpur he opened fire on BNP-Jamaat supporters during a procession and its footage is now circulating on social media.

Detectives have arrested three suspected drug peddlers with 5,000 Yaba tablets from the Kaptanbazar area in the capital on Thursday. The arrestees have been identified as Ehsan Ullah, 40, Abdul Gafur, 50, and Md Sabir, 37. Acting on a tip-off, a team from the Illegal Arms Recovery and Narcotics Control Unit conducted the drive around 8:45 AM on Thursday, said Talebur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner (Media) of the DMP. During the operation, the trio was arrested and 5,000 Yaba tablets were recovered from their possession. Businessman Mithu sent to jail over health sector graft The arrestees are active members of an organised drug syndicate and, during primary interrogation, admitted to collecting Yaba tablets from Cox’s Bazar and distributing them across different areas of Dhaka. A case has been filed under the Narcotics Control Act with Wari Police Station. The arrestees have been sent to court.

Detectives on Friday arrested another student leader for his alleged involvement in extorting money from the Gulshan residence of former reserved seat MP Shammi Ahmed by posing as a coordinator of the ‘Anti-Discrimination Movement.’ With this, the total number of arrestees so far stood at six. The arrestee Jane Alam Apu is a joint convener of Bangladesh Democratic Student Union. He was detained by a team of the Detective Branch (DB) from Wari area of the capital on Friday morning. DB South Joint Commissioner Mohammad Nasirul said Apu was on the run after being accused of demanding Tk 50 lakh in extortion. Earlier, on July 26, police arrested Md Sakadoun Siam, Sadman Sadab, Md Aminul Islam, Ibrahim Hossain Munna, and Abdur Razzak Riyad from the house for their alleged involvement with the extortion. Among them, Munna is Dhaka city convenor of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, while Siam and Sadab are also members of the same body. Student leader among five held for extortion at former MP’s home Riyad is the acting convenor for the Private Universities Committee under the same platform and a member of the Bangladesh Democratic Student Union. According to police, the group went to Shammis’s residence on July 17 and demanded Tk 1 crore, threatening to label her a ‘fascist collaborator’ and report her to police if she refused. They even took Tk 10 lakh. A video of the extortion incident later went viral on social media, showing two men receiving cash in the guest room of a residence. On Thursday, police recovered cheques worth Tk 2.25 crore and fixed deposit receipts (FDRs) worth Tk 20 lakh from the Tejgaon’s Nakhalpara residence of arrested Riyad. Riyad has allegedly been constructing a building at his village home Nabipur under Senbagh upazila of Noakhali district, with the money earned from the extortion, though his family denied the allegation, claiming that As-Sunnah Foundation donated the money.

Detectives detained nine leaders and activists of Awami League, including former MP from Bagerhat-4 Aminul Islam Milon, from different areas of Dhaka on Monday night. Md Talebur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner (media and public relations) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), said Detective Branch (DB) teams detained them after being tipped-off. Ex-MP Zafar Alam arrested in Dhaka The detainees are accused in several cases, including that of murder, he said, adding that details about the apprehension will be shared later.

Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has arrested three leaders of Awami League and its affiliated organizations in separate drives in the capital. The arrestees are Abdul Matin Master, 52, member secretary of Dhaka South unit of Krishak League, Mostak Fakir alias Bagha, 38, vice-president of Ward No. 71 Jubo League and Haji Alauddin, vice-president of Keraniganj Model Thana unit of Awami League. Sources at DB headquarters said Abdul Matin Master was arrested from Matuail around 11:30pm on Tuesday night, while Alauddin from Chawkbazar around 11:45pm the same night. Mostak Fakir was arrested around 2:40am on Wednesday. DMP's Deputy Commissioner (Media and Public Relations) Mohammad Talebur Rahman said the arrestees attempted to create unrest in different areas of the capital through sudden street demonstrations. Legal proceedings against them are underway, he said.  

Detectives detained former Dhaka-5 Awami League MP Kazi Monirul Islam Moni from Gulshan area of the capital on Monday. Md Talebur Rahman, deputy commissioner (media and public relations) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), said a Detective Branch team rounded him up from the area in the afternoon. The former MP has been accused in a dozen of cases, including seven of murders.   Former MP Sala Uddin held in Jashore He became parliament member from the constituency in a by-election on October 17 in 2020 after his predecessor Habibur Rahman Molla had died. Monu has been the president of Jatrabari Thana Awami League since 2016. In 2003, he was the president of Greater Demra Thana Awami League.

The Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has arrested nine more members of the banned Chhatra League and various affiliated organisations of the Awami League during drives in different areas of the capital. DMP’s Deputy Commissioner Talebur Rahman confirmed the matter on Monday. The arrestees are: Mohammad Bappi (30), General Secretary of Chhatra League’s Ward-33 unit under Bangshal Thana; Md Mohibur Rahman (50), Vice-President of South Badda Bazar Unit Awami League; Abul Kalam Azad (47), Joint General Secretary of Monoharganj Thana Awami League in Cumilla; Babu Ahmed (55), Vice-President of Ward-32 Awami League under Bangshal Thana; Abdul Khalek (55), former President of Ward-22 Awami League; Kabir Hossain (48), General Secretary of Kalabagan Thana Bangabandhu Parishad; Dipam Saha (26), Secretary for Theatre and Debate, Jagannath Hall Unit of Dhaka University Chhatra League; Kazi Ismail Hossain (42), former General Secretary of Demra Unit Chhatra League; and Chhatra League activist Muhtasin Fuad alias Piyal. According to DB sources, Bappi was arrested from the Nawabpur area around 11am on Sunday by a team of DB-Lalbagh Division. Later in the evening, another team of DB-Gulshan Division arrested Mohibur Rahman from the Berait area. No one allowed to join ‘Ananda Shobhajatra’ arbitrarily: DMP chief At around 3pm on the same day, DB-Cyber and Special Crime Division arrested Abul Kalam Azad from in front of the Department of Public Health Engineering in Ramna. At around 11pm, Babu Ahmed was arrested from the Bangshal area by DB-Lalbagh. Meanwhile, Abdul Khalek was picked up from Moghbazar at around 10pm, and Kabir Hossain was arrested from Hatirpool at around 11:30pm by separate teams of DB-Ramna Division. Kazi Ismail Hossain was arrested from the Matuail area on Sunday night by DB-Wari Division. He reportedly admitted to participating in a flash procession in Jatrabari earlier that day, according to DMP. DB sources further said Dipam Saha was arrested from Tejgaon around 1:45am on Monday, while Muhtasin Fuad alias Piyal was detained from a residence in Adabor around 2:45am by separate teams of DB-Cyber Division. DC Talebur Rahman said the arrestees are named in various cases filed with different police stations in the capital. "They were involved in attempts to destabilise the country. By organising flash processions in various parts of the city, they aimed to spread panic among the public," he added. Legal proceedings against the arrestees are underway, he further stated.