New Details Emerge in Babla Murder in Chittagong

In Chittagong, Sarwar Hossain Babla was shot and killed publicly during BNP candidate Ershad Ullah’s election campaign. Law enforcement agencies have confirmed the identities of four people involved in the killing. Top terrorist Sazzad Ali, also known as Baro Sazzad, has been named as the primary suspect, along with seven others, and 14–15 unidentified individuals are listed as co-accused in the case.

On Thursday night, Babla’s father Abdul Kader filed the case at Bayezid Bostami Police Station. RAB has arrested two of the accused named in the FIR. They were detained early Friday morning from Hajirpule area of Chandgaon Police Station. Bayezid Bostami Police also arrested another person directly involved in the murder. A foreign 7.62 bore pistol was used to ensure Babla’s death.

Ershad Ullah, candidate for Chittagong-8, was admitted to Dhaka’s Square Hospital due to deteriorating health following the incident.

On Wednesday evening, during Ershad Ullah’s public campaign at Chalitoli area of Bayezid Bostami, Babla was shot and killed. The FIR names Sazzad Ali or Baro Sazzad, his squad leader Rayhan Alam, and seven others. Other accused include Borhan Uddin, Nezam Uddin, Alauddin, Mobarak Hossain alias Emon, and Helal alias Mach Helal.

Law enforcement has confirmed that four people involved in Babla’s killing are Rayhan (35), Mobarak Hossain Emon (22), Borhan (27), and Md. Khorshed (45). Bayezid Bostami Police OC Jasim Uddin confirmed the information to the media.

According to the victim’s family and police, under Baro Sazzad’s plan, a series of killings have occurred in Chittagong. He has controlled the city’s criminal activities from abroad for decades. Baro Sazzad’s second-in-command was Chhoto Sazzad, who was arrested by police on March 15. Currently, Rayhan serves as Baro Sazzad’s second-in-command.

To ensure Babla’s death, the killers used a foreign 7.62 bore pistol, shooting him from close range. Analysis of video footage shows he fell to the ground after the first three shots, followed by several more rounds that confirmed his death at the scene.

After the FIR, RAB conducted a raid and arrested two accused from Hajirpule area of Chandgaon Police Station. Lt. Colonel Hafizur Rahman, head of RAB-7, told a press conference that the detainees denied involvement in the incident during preliminary questioning but admitted to contacts with other suspects.

Additionally, Bayezid Bostami Police arrested one person directly involved in Babla’s killing.

During the public campaign, BNP candidate for Chittagong-8, Ershad Ullah, was shot. He was airlifted to Dhaka’s Square Hospital for advanced treatment. He sustained gunshot wounds to his right chest and leg and is currently stable.

Khaborwala/TSN