Five suspected members of an inter-district robbery gang have been arrested in a major security operation in the Jatrabari area of Dhaka, with police recovering firearms, ammunition, explosives and motorbikes, according to the Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Police.
The arrests were confirmed at a press briefing held on Tuesday at the DMP Media Centre. Speaking to journalists, Additional Commissioner of the Detective Branch, Shafiqul Islam, said the operation was launched following confidential intelligence reports.
Acting on the information, a special team conducted a raid on Monday at approximately 4:45 p.m. in the Shahid Faruk Road area of Dayaganj, Jatrabari. The suspects were apprehended from in front of a furniture shop during the operation, which was carried out swiftly to prevent any resistance or escape.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Md Liton Jobbar (52), Ismail Hossain Mamun (55), Md Babul Babu (45), Ayub Bhuiyan (30), and Md Roman (35).
Police further stated that a significant cache of weapons and explosives was recovered during the raid. The group is believed to have been operating across multiple districts, allegedly involved in armed robberies and the illegal trade of weapons and explosive materials.
Seized items
| Category | Items recovered | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Firearms | Pistols | 2 |
| Ammunition | Magazines | 2 |
| Ammunition | Bullets | 7 |
| Explosives | Explosive material (approx.) | 2.2 kg |
| Cold weapon | Sharp weapon (locally known as chopper) | 1 |
| Vehicles | Motorcycles | 2 |
According to Additional Commissioner Shafiqul Islam, the arrested suspects allegedly maintained a supply chain for illegal arms, sourcing weapons and bomb-making materials from border areas, particularly from across the western frontier. These materials were then transported to Dhaka, where they were reportedly distributed to various criminal groups.
Investigators also suspect that the gang not only supplied weapons but actively participated in armed robberies using explosives and firearms to intimidate victims and ensure successful theft operations. Their activities are believed to have contributed to a wider network of organised criminal behaviour spanning several districts.
Law enforcement officials have registered two separate cases at Jatrabari Police Station in connection with the incident. Further investigations are underway to identify additional members of the network and to trace the full extent of their operations, including possible links with other organised criminal groups.
Authorities have indicated that the crackdown is part of an ongoing effort to curb rising organised crime and illegal arms trafficking in and around the capital.