Police have arrested three young men in Khulna after an operation in the Labanchara police station area led to the recovery of a pistol, four rounds of ammunition, three bomb-like cocktails and a motorcycle.
The arrests were made at about 6.50pm on Tuesday, 29 September, from an open area in front of Jalal Ahmed’s husk mill, north of Rupsha Bridge. Police said the three men were attempting to leave the area on a motorcycle when officers moved in.
The arrested men have been identified as Md Al Amin, 23, son of Kislu Hawladar of the area beside Mathabhanga Jute Mill under Labanchara police station; Md Roni Molla, 28, also known as Kasai Roni, son of Abdul Rahim Molla of Raipara in Rupsha; and Sworon Jomaddar, 26, also known as Sajal Jomaddar, son of Raju Jomaddar of Doctor Goli in Labanchara.
According to police, a privately owned cement unloading point operates on the northern side of Rupsha Bridge. Its owner, Yunus Ali, had allegedly been subjected to demands for money and intimidation by individuals claiming to be members of two local criminal groups known as B-Company and Nur Azim Bahini.
The allegations had affected operations at the unloading point. Police said the unloading of cement was halted on Tuesday amid the reported pressure on the owner.
Acting on confidential information, a team from Labanchara police subsequently conducted an operation in the area. Police said the three men noticed the presence of officers and attempted to flee on a motorcycle. They were wearing helmets and had their faces covered with masks and gamchas, according to the police account.
Officers intercepted and detained them before they could leave the area. A search then led to the recovery of the pistol, four rounds of ammunition and three bomb-like cocktails. The motorcycle allegedly used by the three men was also seized.
Labanchara police station officer-in-charge Syed Mosharraf Hossain said legal proceedings against the arrested men were under way. He also said police had information that the three individuals had previously been involved in multiple cases.
The latest operation is linked by police to allegations of intimidation and demands for money at the cement unloading point. Investigators are expected to examine whether the arrested men had any direct connection with those allegations, as well as the origin and intended use of the recovered weapons and explosive-like objects.
The circumstances surrounding the seized items will also form part of the investigation. Their nature and relevance to the case will need to be established through the appropriate legal and investigative procedures.
Police have not provided further details about the previous cases allegedly involving the three men. The investigation is continuing, while the authorities are processing the arrests and preparing the necessary legal action over the recovery of the pistol, ammunition and cocktails.
