A continuing joint crackdown on terrorism, extortion, and narcotics in Khulna city has led to the arrest of 39 additional individuals, as the authorities intensify efforts to restore public order amid rising concerns over organised crime.
According to a statement issued by Khulna Metropolitan Police, the latest arrests were carried out between Saturday evening and Sunday morning across multiple police station jurisdictions. These coordinated operations were conducted jointly by local police units and the Detective Branch as part of an ongoing city-wide enforcement drive.
With the latest detentions, the total number of arrests over the past four days has reached 223, reflecting the scale and intensity of the operation. However, police officials acknowledged that several top-listed and highly influential criminals remain at large, despite sustained pressure from law enforcement agencies.
Breakdown of arrests by area
| Police Station / Area | Number of Arrests |
|---|---|
| Sadar Police Station | 9 |
| Sonadanga Model Police Station | 5 |
| Lobonchora Police Station | 1 |
| Harintana Police Station | 6 |
| Khalishpur Police Station | 4 |
| Daulatpur Police Station | 2 |
| Aranghata Police Station | 7 |
| Khanjahan Ali Police Station | 5 |
Authorities confirmed that among those detained were 10 individuals involved in drug trafficking and one suspected thief. In addition, police arrested Kazi Rafsan Mahmud, also known as Partha, who faces multiple charges including extortion and several murder-related cases. He is reportedly a close associate of Sheikh Polash, widely known as “Chingri Polash”, a prominent figure linked to the so-called Polash Group.
The current phase of operations was launched following a series of violent incidents and an upsurge in drug-related activities across the city. A special crime coordination meeting held at the KMP headquarters earlier in the week led to the decision to conduct synchronised raids across Khulna’s urban areas.
The crackdown follows a sequence of earlier arrests, including four individuals linked to a close associate of a notorious criminal known as “Grenade Babu”. Subsequent phases saw the detention of 63 individuals on Wednesday night and Thursday, followed by 59 arrests on Friday, and a further 62 the previous day.
During the ongoing operations, law enforcement agencies have also recovered weapons and seized vehicles, signalling an active attempt to disrupt criminal networks. Additionally, four temporary police outposts have been established in crime-prone areas, alongside intensified 24-hour patrols.
Despite these efforts, concerns remain among civic groups. Representatives of Sujon in Khulna argue that arresting lower-level operatives alone will not yield long-term stability unless key criminal leaders are apprehended.
Local residents have also reported that prolonged weaknesses in surveillance and administrative oversight have allowed multiple organised groups to operate in the city, with some estimates suggesting the presence of at least nine active criminal syndicates.
Police records indicate that 16 murders were reported in Khulna city between January and May this year, with several investigations linking recent killings to rival criminal factions. As enforcement continues, public expectations are rising, with growing pressure on authorities to ensure the swift capture of high-profile fugitives and dismantle entrenched criminal networks.