The Special Response Battalion (SRB) has arrested Idris Mia, the 27-year-old ringleader of an inter-district robbery gang, in connection with the highway robbery of a pickup truck carrying hilsa fish worth 950,000 BDT and cash in Cumilla. Law enforcement officers detained him on Tuesday night during a raid in the Shanir Akhra area of Dhaka. The elite unit formally disclosed details of the operation during a press briefing on Wednesday, 4 November.
According to SRB records, Idris is the son of the late Hekim Abdul Mannan, hailing from Hajipur Choumuhani under Begumganj Police Station in Noakhali. He had been residing in Bargaon under Sonargaon Police Station in Narayanganj, from where he operated his criminal network. Officials revealed that Idris is a habitual offender with 19 robbery cases pending against him across various police stations nationwide.
The robbery took place on the night of 2 September, when Bellal Hossain, a fish trader from Laxmipur Sadar, purchased a consignment of hilsa fish from Fisheryghat in Chattogram. He was transporting the cargo via pickup truck towards wholesale markets in Cumilla. As the vehicle reached Niamatpur under Muradnagar Police Station, a gang of 10 to 12 armed robbers in a white pickup truck intercepted them.
The armed gang violently assaulted trader Bellal Hossain and the driver, tying their hands, feet, and mouths before dumping them beside the highway. The assailants then fled with the consignment of hilsa valued at 950,000 BDT alongside 71,000 BDT in cash. Following the incident, Bellal filed a robbery case at Muradnagar Police Station, sparking widespread concern among local merchant communities and transport workers.
Major Sadman Ibne Alam, Commander of SRB-11 (CPC-2) in Cumilla, stated that officers tracked the suspect using digital intelligence and informant networks. SRB-11 executed a coordinated joint operation with a team from SRB-10 (CPC-1) in Narayanganj to apprehend Idris in Dhaka. During initial interrogation, Idris admitted his direct involvement in the highway robbery. Law enforcement authorities have handed him over to Muradnagar Police Station to undergo formal judicial proceedings, whilst efforts continue to apprehend his accomplices and recover the stolen property.
