Dhaka, 27 January 2026 — In a major security operation early Monday morning, the Bangladesh Army recovered a significant cache of illegal drugs, firearms, ammunition, and cash in the Sayedabad area, adjacent to the city’s bus terminal and railway line. Six individuals, including members of the family of notorious drug dealer and militant Auto Sojal, were taken into custody.
The operation was carried out at dawn on 26 January by a specialised unit under the 46th Independent Infantry Brigade of the Bangladesh Army. The intelligence-based raid targeted the residences of Auto Sojal and his known associates Raju, Faruk, Zahid, Sojib, and Joni. While Auto Sojal managed to evade arrest during the raid, his associates and family members were apprehended. The Army has confirmed that efforts to capture the fugitive Auto Sojal are ongoing.
The individuals arrested during the operation are:
| Name | Age | Relation/Role |
|---|---|---|
| Md. Umar Faruk | 35 | Associate |
| Md. Zahidul Islam | 38 | Associate |
| Ms. Fatema Akter | 21 | Family Member |
| Md. Joni | 35 | Associate |
| Md. Sojib | 25 | Family Member |
| Md. Rabbi Ullah | 26 | Associate |
During a thorough search of the premises, including the rooftop of Auto Sojal’s residence, the Army seized a wide range of illegal items. Among the recovered items were:
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| 7.65mm foreign-made automatic pistols | 2 |
| Live rounds of ammunition | 8 |
| Yaba tablets | 5,108 pieces |
| Heroin packets | 270 |
| Sharp domestic weapons | 13 |
| Cash | BDT 826,430 |
| Molotov cocktails & materials | 3 |
| Mobile phones | 20 |
| Bottles of foreign liquor | 2 |
The Bangladesh Army emphasised that the operation was conducted with utmost professionalism and caution, with no untoward incidents reported. All arrested individuals and confiscated materials were handed over to the Wari Police Station for legal proceedings.
Speaking to the press, Wari Police Station SI Md. Rezaul Karim said, “Following the Army’s operation, six individuals were arrested with drugs and illegal firearms. They received preliminary medical attention at Dhaka Medical College before being formally taken into custody for legal action.”
This operation marks one of the most significant recent seizures of illegal narcotics and firearms in the capital and highlights the continued collaboration between the Bangladesh Army and law enforcement agencies to combat organised crime and ensure public safety.