Police have arrested seven suspected criminals, including an alleged notorious gang leader known locally as “Kutta Faruk”, during a late-night operation in Mohammadpur, Dhaka, as they were reportedly preparing to carry out an armed robbery and launch retaliatory attacks on police informants.
The operation was conducted by officers from Adabar Police Station in the Shekhertek area during the early hours of Wednesday night into Thursday. During the raid, police recovered several sharp weapons, including machetes, samurai swords and other locally manufactured bladed weapons believed to have been intended for use in criminal activities.
According to police, the suspects were members of an organised criminal group allegedly led by Faruk. Investigators said the gang had planned to raid a poultry farm under the cover of darkness. At the same time, the group was allegedly preparing attacks against individuals believed to be working as police informants.
Police said the planned assaults were intended as retaliation following the recent arrests of two alleged teenage gang figures from the Adabar area, Billal Hossain, also known as “Bhaista Billal”, and Mowra Sohel. Investigators believe members of the gang were seeking revenge against those they suspected had assisted law enforcement in those arrests.
Officers further alleged that the criminal network was not limited to local members. According to the investigation, the group had also arranged to bring in hired criminals from the districts of Shariatpur and Madaripur to strengthen its planned operations. Police are examining the extent of the network and whether those arrested have links to other organised crimes committed in the capital.
During the raid, officers seized multiple bladed weapons, including machetes and samurai swords, along with several other improvised sharp instruments. The suspects were subsequently taken to the police station, where legal proceedings were initiated under the relevant laws.
News of the arrests quickly spread through the neighbourhood, prompting local residents and alleged victims of criminal activities to gather near the scene. Many expressed relief at the police action while also voicing longstanding concerns over crime in the area. Residents accused local gangs of involvement in muggings, extortion, intimidation and other forms of organised criminal activity that have affected the community for an extended period.
Several locals also questioned the long-term effectiveness of such operations, arguing that suspects arrested in similar crackdowns are often granted bail within a relatively short period before allegedly returning to the same criminal activities. They said this recurring pattern has made it difficult to achieve a lasting reduction in organised crime and has continued to create insecurity among residents.
Police have indicated that the investigation remains ongoing and that further legal action will be taken based on the evidence gathered during the operation.
