In a significant blow to organised crime in the port city, the Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) have apprehended three high-profile operatives linked to the notorious fugitive warlord, Sajjad Ali (widely known as “Boro Sajjad”). The operation resulted in the recovery of a sophisticated arsenal, including a submachine gun (SMG), which authorities believe were used in a recent high-stakes extortion attempt against a prominent industrialist.
The Arrests and Weaponry Recovery
The crackdown, conducted on Tuesday across various strategic points in Chittagong, led to the arrest of Abdul Kaiyum Chowdhury (alias Imon), Mohammad Monir, and Mohammad Sayem. According to Additional Commissioner Wahidul Haque Chowdhury, the recovered firearms are of particular concern as two were identified as service weapons looted from police stations during the civil unrest of 5 August 2024.
The primary suspect, Abdul Kaiyum, is a convicted fugitive who was previously sentenced to life imprisonment for his involvement in the infamous Bahaddarhat eight-way murder case in 2000. Under interrogation, the trio confessed that these weapons were used on 28 February to open fire on the residence of Mostafizur Rahman Chowdhury, Chairman of the Smart Group, after he refused a protection racketeering demand of 10 million BDT.
Table: Profile of Seized Armaments and Origins
| Weapon Type | Brand/Specification | Source of Origin | Legal Status |
| Submachine Gun (SMG) | Military Grade | Khagrachari Hill Insurgents | Illegal Import |
| 9mm Pistol | Brazilian Taurus | Double Mooring Police Station | Looted (Aug 2024) |
| Revolver | .32 Bore (Foreign) | Pahartali Police Station | Looted (Aug 2024) |
| Ammunition | 59 Rounds (Mixed) | Various Illegal Channels | Contraband |
The “Boro Sajjad” Connection
The police revealed that the suspects were operating under the direct command of Sajjad Ali, who is currently managing his criminal empire from abroad. The gang is allegedly involved in a wide array of illicit activities, including contract killings, armed robberies, and the forceful control of sand extraction sites (Balumahal).
A chilling discovery during the raid was a video clip found on Abdul Kaiyum’s mobile phone, depicting a formal “oath-taking ceremony” for new recruits joining the Sajjad syndicate. This suggests a highly structured and radicalised approach to recruitment within the city’s underworld.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings
The apprehended individuals are seasoned criminals; Monir and Sayem each face at least ten pending charges related to murder, extortion, and firearms offences. The CMP has confirmed that the seized weapons will undergo forensic ballistic testing to definitively link them to the recent shooting in the Chandanpura area.
Authorities have vowed to continue their “zero-tolerance” policy against armed syndicates, particularly focusing on recovering the remaining firearms lost during the 2024 police station raids.