Burqa-Clad Woman’s Signal Linked to Tk5.7 Million Bus Heist

Police have arrested two suspects in connection with the daylight robbery of Tk5.7 million from a passenger bus on the Teknaf–Cox’s Bazar highway, as investigators continue searching for the stolen money and other members of the alleged gang. Authorities are also examining the suspected role of a burqa-clad woman who is believed to have helped orchestrate the robbery by monitoring the bus and signalling the attackers.

The two suspects, Akhtar Hossain and Nazrul Islam, were arrested on the night of 3 August from the Leda area of Hnila Union in Teknaf. Police said both men have been sent to court in connection with the robbery case, while investigators have sought a 10-day remand to question them further about the incident and identify the remaining suspects.

According to the preliminary investigation, the robbery took place at around midday on 2 August when a passenger bus travelling from Teknaf to Cox’s Bazar was allegedly being followed by a CNG-powered auto-rickshaw. Investigators believe a woman wearing a burqa, who was travelling in the vehicle, closely observed the bus and relayed its movements to the waiting gang.

Police suspect that, after receiving her signal, seven to eight armed men descended from nearby hills and blocked the highway by placing tree trunks and wooden planks embedded with nails across the road. Forced to stop, the bus became an easy target.

Investigators said four members of the gang boarded the vehicle and headed directly towards two sales representatives working for the mobile financial service provider bKash. The robbers allegedly seized Tk5.7 million in cash from the two men. When the victims attempted to resist, they were reportedly stabbed and assaulted before the attackers escaped towards the surrounding hills. The entire operation is believed to have lasted between 15 and 20 minutes.

Police said three bKash sales representatives were travelling on the bus carrying a combined total of Tk8.2 million. Of that amount, Tk3.5 million belonging to Ekram Hossain and Tk2.2 million carried by Al Arman was looted. The remaining Tk2.5 million, which was being transported by Abdul Karim, was left untouched.

The fact that the robbers moved directly to the representatives carrying the cash has become a major focus of the investigation. Detectives believe the attackers may have possessed prior knowledge of who was transporting the money. Investigators are exploring whether the information was obtained through surveillance or leaked by someone on board the bus. The possible involvement of the driver, the driver’s assistant or any passengers has not been ruled out.

Officer-in-Charge Saiful Islam of Teknaf Model Police Station said investigators had gathered several important leads regarding the planning of the robbery. Efforts are continuing to identify the burqa-clad woman believed to have followed the bus before the attack. Police also said operations remain under way to recover the stolen money and arrest the remaining suspects.

According to police, one of the arrested men, Akhtar Hossain, has previously faced multiple criminal cases, including allegations related to narcotics, murder and robbery. Investigators have also received information suggesting that several additional individuals may have participated in the crime. They are examining intelligence indicating that some Rohingya criminal suspects could also have been involved, although authorities stressed that the investigation remains ongoing and no final conclusions have yet been reached.

The incident has renewed concerns over highway security in the Teknaf-Cox’s Bazar region, particularly on routes used to transport large amounts of cash. Law enforcement agencies are expected to intensify patrols and continue efforts to dismantle the network believed to be responsible for the carefully planned robbery.