The decision to carry out the murder was made four and a half months ago under the plan of a top terrorist based abroad

A former secretary of the Dhaka Metropolitan North Volunteer Party, Azizur Rahman Musabbir, has been assassinated in a premeditated contract killing reportedly worth 1.5 million Bangladeshi Taka. The murder appears to have been motivated by a dispute over control of the busy Karwan Bazar commercial area in the capital. Investigators say the order came from a fugitive top-tier terrorist based abroad.

According to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) and Detective Branch (DB), the contract was executed by the fugitive’s close associate, Mohammad Billal, who orchestrated the killing along with several accomplices. On Sunday, the DB held a press conference at the DMP Media Centre on Minto Road, where Additional Commissioner (DB) Shafiqul Islam confirmed the arrests and provided further details. He suggested that the motive was primarily commercial rather than political.

The investigation revealed the involvement of four suspects: Jinnat, Mohammad Billal, Abdul Kadir, and Riaz. Billal and Abdul Kadir are brothers, with another brother, Abdur Rahim, currently at large, also implicated in the crime. The trio hails from Gugula village in Monohardi, Narsingdi District, while Riaz is from Dwipasha, Bauphal, Patuakhali, and Jinnat from Mirzapur, Atwari, Panchagarh. All reside in various parts of Dhaka.

The killing took place on Wednesday evening at approximately 8:15 pm, in the alley beside Ahsanullah Technology Institute, opposite Star Hotel & Restaurant near Karwan Bazar. Musabbir was shot, while Masud, general secretary of the Karwan Bazar Van Workers’ Union, was also injured and is receiving treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Musabbir’s wife, Suraiya Begum, subsequently filed a murder case at Tejgaon Police Station against several unknown assailants.

The DB reported that prior reconnaissance had been conducted at the crime scene by the suspects, and a motorbike without registration and 6,000 Taka were seized as evidence. While the firearms used remain unrecovered, the investigation indicates that Billal planned the attack from abroad through his associate Binash in Malaysia. He recruited his brothers and other accomplices, offering 1.5 million Taka for Musabbir’s assassination.

Police stressed that the suspects have no formal political affiliations, although they maintain business interests in Karwan Bazar and connections with local political figures. Investigators also noted that disputes over the control of daily extortion revenues in the market have historically led to violent clashes, with Musabbir being targeted as part of ongoing conflicts.

The DB continues to interrogate the arrested suspects and plans to present them in court on Monday for further questioning. Multiple teams are combing Dhaka, Gazipur, Mymensingh, Netrokona, Bhairab, and Kishoreganj to apprehend the remaining fugitive.

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