Khulna Police Intensify Citywide Crackdown

Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP), in coordination with multiple law enforcement units, has intensified a large-scale special operation targeting terrorism, extortion, and drug-related offences, resulting in the arrest of 39 individuals between Saturday evening and Sunday morning. Authorities confirmed that this latest wave of detentions brings the total number of arrests to 223 within four days of sustained operations across the city.

According to an official press release issued by the KMP, the coordinated drive involved personnel from various police stations and the Detective Branch, focusing on identified crime hotspots across Khulna. Those detained include suspected drug dealers, petty criminals, and individuals facing multiple pending cases.

Among the notable arrests is a close associate of the so-called “Grenade Babu” network, along with a key operative linked to the “Palash Group,” identified as Kazi Rafsan Mahmud alias Partha. Police stated that he faces at least seven cases, including allegations of extortion and murder. In this phase alone, 10 drug traders and one suspected thief were also taken into custody.

The distribution of arrests across different police jurisdictions is as follows:

The ongoing crackdown began earlier in the week following a high-level crime coordination meeting at KMP headquarters. Since then, operations have been conducted in successive phases. On Tuesday night, four associates of a top criminal figure were detained. This was followed by the arrest of 63 individuals between Wednesday night and Thursday afternoon, during which authorities also recovered a locally made weapon, 11 motorcycles, and a pickup vehicle. On Friday, another 59 individuals, including associates of organised criminal groups, were arrested. The previous day saw 62 additional arrests.

Police have also strengthened preventive measures in crime-prone areas, including the installation of four temporary police outposts in key neighbourhoods such as Jinnahpara, Putimari, Shishubagan, and Krishnanagar under Lobonchora Police Station. Night patrols have been intensified, and manpower has been increased across several checkpoints.

Despite the scale of the operation, concerns persist regarding the arrest of high-profile offenders. Local governance activist Kudrat-e-Khuda, speaking to প্রথম আলো, argued that while police activity is visible, the focus should shift towards apprehending top-level criminals rather than low-level offenders, in order to restore public confidence.

Residents have also expressed concern over the growing influence of at least nine identified criminal groups operating across Khulna, including factions linked to “Grenade Babu,” the Palash Group, and several other organised networks allegedly involved in extortion and violence.

Police statistics indicate that 16 murders were recorded in Khulna city between January and May this year, while 34 killings since a recent political upheaval have been linked to various criminal factions, underscoring ongoing security challenges despite intensified enforcement efforts.