The family of the high-profile criminal Khandakar Naim Ahmed Teton (also known as Naeem Ahmed Teton) has alleged that his assassination was the direct consequence of a dispute involving the lease of the Bochila sacrificial cattle market. Teton, once ranked second on the Ministry of Home Affairs’ list of the country’s 23 most-wanted “top terrorists,” was shot dead at the Bottola area of Dhaka’s New Market at approximately 20:00 on Tuesday.
Following the incident, the victim’s elder brother, Khandakar Sayeed Akter Ripon, filed a formal murder case at New Market Police Station on Wednesday morning, 29 April 2026. The First Information Report (FIR) names eight to nine unidentified individuals as defendants. Mohammad Ayub, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of the station, confirmed that the investigation has been prioritised.
Rivalry over Cattle Market Tenders
The formal complaint submitted by the family highlights a protracted conflict regarding the leasing process for the Bochila cattle market. It specifically identifies a dispute with other notorious underworld figures, including:
Imamul Hasan Helal (alias Picchi Helal)
Badal (alias Killer Badal or Kaila Badal)
Shahjahan
Rony (alias Daggari Rony)
According to the case statement, Teton was released from prison on bail on 13 August 2024 after serving a lengthy term. Following his release, he reportedly expressed a desire to lead a lawful life, reaching out to his family to apologise for the past dishonour and financial strain his criminal activities had caused. He recently informed his brother that he had purchased the necessary tender schedules for the Bochila market lease, intending to establish a legitimate business.
However, on 26 April, Teton informed his brother that tensions were escalating with the aforementioned group over the tender. The following day, he noted that he had been summoned to a meeting under the guise of resolving the dispute. It was shortly after this suspected orchestration that the family received news at 23:00 on Tuesday that Teton had been brought to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) with fatal gunshot wounds sustained near Shahnewaz Hall.
Coordinated “Killing Mission” and Police Analysis
S.N. Md. Nazrul Islam, the Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime and Operations) for the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), confirmed that the assassination was an organised hit executed by rival elements. While the cattle market tender is a primary motive, the police are also investigating a broader struggle for dominance within the capital’s underworld following the recent release of several high-ranking gang leaders.
Intelligence suggests the operation was highly coordinated and involved several teams:
Tracking Team: A unit followed Teton as soon as he left his residence in the Sultanganj area.
Shadowing Team: A two-member team on a motorcycle shadowed him throughout his journey.
Ambush Team: A three-member unit was stationed near Gate No. 1 of New Market.
Execution: The motorcycle-borne team intercepted Teton near New Market Bottola, where they opened fire and fled the scene.
A History of Violence and Retaliation
Teton’s criminal history is inextricably linked to some of the most infamous crimes in Bangladesh’s judicial history. He was a prominent member of the Sanjidul Islam Emon syndicate, which was involved in the 1999 “brushfire” shooting in Nikunja that killed Tipu, the brother of top terrorist Joseph Ahmed. This syndicate was also implicated in:
The murder of film actor Sohel Chowdhury at the Trumps Club in Gulshan.
The assassination of Dhaka City Chhatra League General Secretary Ashru.
Security analysts observe that the political shifts after 5 August 2024 led to the bail release of multiple top-tier criminals, including Killer Abbas, Arman, Emon, Picchi Helal, Freedom Rasu, and Teton. Their return to the public sphere has coincided with a resurgence in gang-related violence as they attempt to reclaim their former influence.
The police have drawn parallels between Teton’s death and the public assassination of Tariq Saif Mamun on 10 November 2023. Investigation into Mamun’s death revealed it was a retaliatory act for the 1999 Tipu murder, in which Teton and Mamun were co-conspirators. The authorities believe the recent wave of violence is a continuation of these long-standing blood feuds, further fueled by competition over lucrative tenders and territorial control.
The body of Khandakar Naim Ahmed Teton was handed over to his brother, Ripon, on Wednesday afternoon following a post-mortem examination. Ripon reiterated to journalists that while Teton hoped for reconciliation, the pressure from Picchi Helal’s group remained the focal point of his concerns prior to the assassination