Fugitive Murder Suspect Arrested During Haircut

A 45-year-old man wanted in connection with a high-profile murder case in Kushtia’s Daulatpur area has been arrested by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) from Godagari in Rajshahi while he was inside a local barbershop getting a haircut.

According to RAB officials, the arrest was made on Thursday night following sustained intelligence surveillance by the Kushtia camp. Acting on precise information regarding his whereabouts, a coordinated operation was launched with the assistance of RAB-5, resulting in the successful capture of the fugitive suspect, identified as Rajib Mistri, also known as Shamim. He is a resident of Darogar Mor village in South-West Philipnagar of Daulatpur upazila and works professionally as a carpenter.

Law enforcement sources confirmed that Rajib had been absconding since the filing of a murder case linked to the killing of a man named Pir Abdur Rahman, also known locally as Shamim. Investigators believe that after the incident, he initially fled to Pabna before taking refuge at a relative’s residence in Rajshahi. During his period in hiding, he frequently changed mobile phone numbers and avoided direct communication with family members, instead relying on intermediaries to conceal his movements and evade detection.

RAB officials stated that continuous monitoring of his suspected contacts eventually led them to confirm his presence in the Godagari area. On Thursday evening, he reportedly visited a neighbourhood barbershop for a routine haircut, unaware that security forces had already tracked his location. The arrest was executed swiftly without incident.

Authorities further revealed that Rajib is considered one of the key accused in the case, which has been under active investigation for several months. Prior to his arrest, three other individuals had already been detained in connection with the same incident, bringing the total number of arrests to four. Law enforcement agencies continue to pursue additional suspects believed to be involved in the case.

The murder occurred on 11 April in the South-West Philipnagar area of Daulatpur, where Pir Abdur Rahman alias Shamim was brutally attacked and killed. Local accounts suggest that allegations of derogatory remarks regarding religious matters had escalated tensions in the area prior to the incident. Two days after the killing, a case was formally lodged at the police station by the victim’s elder brother, Fazlur Rahman.

The complaint named four individuals directly while also implicating approximately 180 to 200 unidentified persons. A local political activist has been identified as the principal accused, alleged to have played a central role in planning and directing the attack.

Case Progress Overview

RAB has stated that operations to apprehend the remaining fugitives are ongoing. Officials have also indicated that further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses and new evidence emerges.