Shot for Cash: Inside the Chilling Night Robbery That Rocked Tongi

A violent armed robbery in the industrial town of Tongi has once again highlighted the growing risks faced by workers in Bangladesh’s mobile financial services sector. On Saturday night, assailants shot a mobile banking agent and stabbed his colleague before escaping with nearly Tk 1.5 million in cash, leaving local residents shaken and raising serious questions about public safety and law enforcement preparedness.

The incident occurred at approximately 8:00 pm on Anarkali Road, an area under the jurisdiction of Tongi East Police Station in Gazipur. According to police officials and eyewitnesses, two representatives of a bKash agent—identified as Arif Hossain, 27, and Azad, 32—were travelling by motorcycle while transporting a large sum of cash as part of their routine professional duties.

As the pair reached the area near the Madhumita Three-Storey Mosque, their motorcycle was suddenly blocked by two or three unidentified men. The attackers attempted to seize a bag containing the cash. When Arif and Azad resisted, the confrontation escalated rapidly and violently.

Witness accounts and preliminary police findings indicate that one of the assailants opened fire at close range, shooting Arif Hossain in the right side of his chest. He was then stabbed on the left side of his chest with a sharp weapon, suggesting a deliberate attempt to incapacitate him. Azad was also assaulted with a bladed weapon while trying to protect himself and his colleague.

After overpowering the victims, the attackers fled the scene with Tk 1,477,000 in cash. The entire episode unfolded within moments, leaving passers-by stunned and fearful. Residents in the area reported hearing a gunshot, after which panic spread along the road.

Local people rushed to assist the injured men and transported them to Tongi Government Hospital. Given the severity of Arif’s gunshot wound, attending physicians referred him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment. His condition was described as serious but stable at the time of transfer. Azad received primary treatment for his injuries and was later discharged.

Police officials have confirmed that an investigation is underway. Tongi East Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge, Mehdi Hasan, stated that multiple teams have been deployed to identify and arrest the suspects. Law enforcement officers are reviewing CCTV footage from nearby shops and intersections and questioning potential witnesses to track the perpetrators.

This incident has intensified concerns about the safety of mobile financial service workers, who frequently carry large sums of cash without armed protection. Industry insiders note that while digital transactions have increased nationwide, the physical movement of cash remains unavoidable, particularly in high-volume commercial areas like Tongi.

Local residents have demanded increased police patrols, better street lighting, and targeted security measures for workers handling cash. Many fear that unless swift action is taken, similar attacks may become more frequent, further eroding public confidence in safety on city streets.