Police in Moulvibazar’s Sadar upazila have arrested three members of an organised robbery syndicate while they were allegedly preparing for a raid in the Bauarbag area. Acting on intelligence-led operations, law enforcement also recovered firearms, live ammunition, and spent cartridges following interrogations of the detainees.
According to police sources, a group of six to seven armed men gathered on the night of 13 April at around 10:30 p.m. inside a cemetery in Bauarbag. The suspects were reportedly planning an armed robbery when their suspicious movements drew the attention of local residents. As villagers approached and attempted to challenge them, the group panicked, and one shot was fired in an attempt to escape. During the chaos, one member of the gang, identified as Syed Shamsur Rahman Atik, sustained a gunshot injury and collapsed at the scene. Locals managed to detain him before police arrived.
A locally made pipe gun and 21 rounds of live ammunition were recovered from Atik at the time of his arrest. Police immediately secured the area and launched an investigation.
Based on information extracted from the injured suspect, coordinated raids were carried out on 16 April across multiple locations, including Sylhet’s Silam area and several parts of Habiganj district. During these operations, police arrested the alleged gang leader, Rubel Mia, along with another associate, Ashraf Hossain Ashraful, also known as Ashai.
Later the same morning, acting on further intelligence provided by the detainees, police recovered another locally made pipe gun and a spent cartridge case from a banana plantation in the North Baranti area of Kamalpur Union in Moulvibazar Sadar.
Authorities confirmed that the arrested individuals are linked to multiple criminal cases. Rubel Mia alone faces 11 prior cases related to robbery and other offences, while Atik has five recorded cases against him. Atik is currently receiving treatment at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital under police custody.
The operation was conducted under the supervision of the Moulvibazar Superintendent of Police, led by an Additional Superintendent of Police and the Officer-in-Charge of Sadar Model Police Station. Officials described the group as part of an active inter-district robbery network that had been planning coordinated criminal activities across several regions.
Police have stated that operations are ongoing to apprehend the remaining members of the gang, and further arrests are expected as investigations continue. The incident has created concern among local residents, prompting heightened security patrols in surrounding areas.
Arrests and Recoveries Summary
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of arrested suspects | 3 |
| Main accused | Rubel Mia |
| Injured and detained suspect | Syed Shamsur Rahman Atik |
| Firearms recovered | 2 locally made pipe guns |
| Live ammunition recovered | 21 rounds |
| Additional recovery | 1 spent cartridge case |
| Areas covered in operation | Moulvibazar, Sylhet, and Habiganj districts |
Police have reiterated their commitment to dismantling the entire network and ensuring that all remaining fugitives are brought to justice in due course.