Law enforcement agencies in Comilla have successfully dismantled an active inter-district bandit syndicate, apprehending five suspects during a targeted intelligence operation on a major regional highway. The swift intervention thwarted a planned violent robbery and led to the recovery of numerous lethal weapons, alongside a pickup truck and a motorcycle used by the gang.
The breakthrough was officially confirmed on Tuesday morning by Sub-Inspector Pabitra Sarkar of the District Intelligence (DB) branch. The operation unfolded late Monday night near Lalmai Bazar along the Comilla-Noakhali regional highway, situated within the jurisdiction of the Sadar Dakshin Model Police Station.
According to police briefings, a specialised team from the Comilla DB branch acted upon confidential intelligence regarding an imminent criminal enterprise. The syndicate had initially rendezvoused in the Paduar Bazar area before mobilising in a blue pickup truck and a black Discover motorcycle. Their intended destination was the Paranpur Bazar area along the Comilla-Chandrapur highway, where they planned to target moving freight and private vehicles under the cover of darkness.
Anticipating their movement, DB personnel established a strategic checkpoint at Lalmai Bazar. As the suspects approached, officers intercepted the pickup truck, immediately detaining two individuals. The remaining three suspects attempted to flee the scene on the accompanying motorcycle but were swiftly overtaken and subdued by the vigilant police team.
Initial interrogations revealed that the apprehended individuals have operated extensively across various sub-districts within the Chittagong division for a prolonged period, posing a persistent threat to nocturnal commuters and commercial transport operators. Investigators are currently examining their possible involvement in past unsolved highway robberies reported in the region.
The arrested suspects have been identified as Jahirul Islam Prodhania alias Faruk (53) and Rubiul Alam (35), both hailing from Hossanpur under Chandrapur Sadar Police Station; Md Mamun Miji (45) from Hajiganj Police Station; Md Kabir Bhuiyan (40) from Faridganj Police Station; and Md Nazrul Islam (35), all residents of Chandrapur district.
During the search of the suspects and their vehicles, police seized an array of housebreaking implements and offensive weapons. A detailed inventory of the confiscated items is outlined in the table below:
| Serial Number | Item Description | Quantity | Purpose / Context in the Operation |
| 1 | Iron bolt cutter | 1 | Used for breaking padlocks and security chains |
| 2 | Adjustable wrench | 1 | Heavy-duty tool for dismantling fixtures or vehicles |
| 3 | Pliers | 1 | Wire-cutting and gripping equipment |
| 4 | Iron rod | 1 | Blunt force weapon for coercion and intimidation |
| 5 | Wooden-handled machetes (Kirich) | 2 | Sharp-edged weapons for close combat |
| 6 | Wooden-handled sickle (Hasua) | 1 | Traditional cutting and slashing implement |
| 7 | Black cloth bag | 1 | Container utilized for concealing tools |
| 8 | Blue pickup truck | 1 | Primary vehicle used to transport gang members |
| 9 | Black Discover motorcycle | 1 | Scouting vehicle for reconnaissance and escape |
Mohammad Shamsul Alam Shah, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of the Comilla DB branch, confirmed that formal legal proceedings have been initiated against the five accused under relevant penal codes. Police intend to produce them before the judicial magistrate court, seeking police remand to extract further leads regarding potential accomplices and receivers of stolen goods. Authorities have reiterated that highway patrols and intelligence surveillance will remain on high alert to ensure passenger and cargo safety across all regional routes.
