Main Accused Arrested in Gaibandha Shibir Leader Murder

Police have arrested the principal suspect in the murder of Islami Chhatra Shibir leader Saifullah Bari in Gaibandha’s Saghata Upazila, bringing a significant development in a case that has attracted widespread public attention since the fatal attack last month.

Mokhlesur Rahman Mukul, the main accused in the case and a recently expelled Jubo Dal leader, was arrested on Wednesday night following an hours-long operation conducted by law enforcement officers. His arrest was confirmed by Saghata Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mahbub Alam.

According to police, the operation began on Wednesday afternoon and concluded at around 9:00pm when Mukul was detained in the Satitala Saheb Bazar area of Kachua Union. Investigators said the suspect had remained in hiding since the killing on 21 June, prompting an intensive surveillance operation aimed at locating and apprehending him.

Police and local sources said intelligence officers had gathered information suggesting that Mukul might return to the area despite being on the run. Acting on that information, a team of plain-clothes officers took up covert positions at several hotels in Satitala Saheb Bazar. When Mukul reportedly arrived at one of the establishments, officers moved in and arrested him without delay before taking him to Saghata Police Station under tight security.

Witnesses said the suspect appeared visibly startled at the time of his arrest. Dressed in ordinary clothes, he reportedly showed signs of anxiety as police escorted him into a microbus before transporting him to the police station.

Local residents claimed Mukul had been hiding close to his home area throughout the period he was absconding. Some also alleged that he had received assistance while evading arrest, although police have not officially commented on those claims.

The case centres on the killing of Saifullah Bari, president of the Bonarpara Union unit of Islami Chhatra Shibir, who was fatally stabbed during a violent attack on 21 June.

According to investigators, the incident occurred at around 2:45pm in the Bonarpara Charmatha area during a dispute over the formation of the managing committee of Kachua Government Primary School.

Police said a group of 10 to 12 individuals, allegedly including Mukul, his brother Palash and Jubo Dal leader Ashraf Akhand, attacked their opponents with sharp weapons. During the assault, Saifullah Bari sustained a fatal stab wound to the neck and died at the scene or shortly afterwards. His friend, Salauddin, suffered serious injuries to his lungs and required emergency medical treatment.

Following the incident, Saifullah’s father, Habibur Rahman, filed a murder case with Saghata Police Station, naming Mukul as the principal accused.

Before Mukul’s arrest, police had already detained four other suspects in connection with the case. Investigators believe the arrest of the main accused represents an important step in advancing the investigation, although efforts are continuing to apprehend the remaining fugitives.

The killing also prompted immediate disciplinary action within Jubo Dal. Shortly after the incident, the Gaibandha district unit of the organisation expelled Mukul, who had been serving as convener of the Bonarpara Union Jubo Dal, revoking his primary membership and all organisational responsibilities.

Despite that decision, local residents and leaders and activists of Islami Chhatra Shibir have continued to demand exemplary punishment for everyone involved in the killing, arguing that all those responsible should be brought before the courts regardless of political affiliation.

Officer-in-Charge Mahbub Alam confirmed that Mukul had been taken into police custody and said legal proceedings against him would continue in accordance with the law.

He added that operations to arrest the remaining absconding suspects are still under way and expressed confidence that those involved in the murder would be brought to justice as the investigation progresses.

The case has drawn considerable attention in Gaibandha, where the fatal attack and the subsequent manhunt for the main suspect have remained a major focus of both law enforcement agencies and the local community. Police say the investigation remains active and that further arrests may follow as they continue to gather evidence and pursue those still at large.