In a major operation in Dhaka’s Sayedabad area, the Bangladesh Army’s 46th Independent Infantry Brigade successfully seized a large cache of drugs, firearms, ammunition, and cash. The operation also resulted in the arrest of six individuals, including one woman.
The pre-dawn raid took place on Monday, 26 January, at approximately 4:40 am, based on confidential intelligence. Army personnel conducted a targeted sweep of residences near the Sayedabad Bus Terminal and adjacent railway lines, focusing on the notorious drug trafficker and alleged criminal, Auto Sojal, along with his associates.
During the operation, Sojal managed to evade capture, but his known collaborators—Raju, Faruk, Zahid, Sajeeb, and Joni—along with family members, were detained. The army has confirmed that efforts to apprehend Auto Sojal remain ongoing.
Searches of Sojal’s home, including rooftops and surrounding premises, yielded a significant amount of contraband and weaponry, as detailed below:
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| 7.65 mm foreign automatic pistols | 2 |
| 7.65 mm live ammunition rounds | 8 |
| Yaba tablets | 5,108 |
| Heroin parcels | 270 |
| Domestic sharp weapons | 13 |
| Cash | BDT 8,26,430 |
| Molotov cocktails and equipment | 3 |
| Mobile phones | 20 |
| Foreign liquor bottles | 2 |
Preliminary investigations suggest that Auto Sojal has been leading a well-organised criminal network for an extended period, trafficking drugs in Sayedabad and Jatrabari while also engaging in violent and terror-related activities using firearms. The group reportedly supplied illegal narcotics to various areas across Dhaka, instilling fear and undermining local security.
Officials from the Bangladesh Army emphasised that the operation was conducted with a high degree of professionalism and caution, ensuring that no untoward incidents occurred during the raid. The arrested individuals and all seized items have been handed over to the relevant police station for further legal action.
The Army further stated that such operations are part of an ongoing effort to maintain law and order in the capital, combat the drug trade, and dismantle organised criminal networks. Authorities affirmed their commitment to continuing timely and effective interventions against narcotics and terrorism-related threats to safeguard public safety.
This operation has been widely regarded as a significant step towards curbing organised crime and reinforces the role of the Bangladesh Army in ensuring the security and stability of Dhaka and surrounding areas.
