RAB arrests 5 over Gandaria shooting, recovers looted ammo

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB-10) arrested five persons following a gunfight over drug dominance in the capital's Gandaria area that left three people, including a woman, injured.

RAB officers also recovered two foreign pistols, 12 rounds of bullets, three magazines, Yaba, heroin, and cannabis during special operations.

The arrestees were identified as Mohammad Zisan, 19, Mohammad Ramzan, 19, Md. Shaheen, 34, Shabab Hossain Shoikat, 29, and Mohammad Mahim, 18.

RAB-10 Commanding Officer Additional DIG Moha. Asaduzzaman disclosed the details during a press briefing at the RAB Media Centre in Karwan Bazar on Thursday (September 10) morning.

According to RAB, a shootout broke out between two rival groups -- Monir Group and Auto Sojol Group -- over establishing drug dominance at Koratitola under Gandaria Police Station on August 30.

Three bystanders -- pedestrians Asha Akhter, 20, and Siam, 18, along with tea vendor Alamgir Hossain Russel -- sustained gunshot injuries during the clash.

Asha suffered a bullet injury in her right leg, Siam in the left side of his chest, and Alamgir in his head.

RAB confirmed that Alamgir and Siam underwent surgery and are currently out of danger, while Asha remains stable though the bullet in her leg could not be removed yet.

Following the clash, a team from RAB-10 Jatrabari camp initiated a shadow investigation, analyzing CCTV footage and intelligence data to track down the suspects. Law enforcers subsequently arrested Mohammad Zisan and Mohammad Ramzan from Munshirtek area in Gandaria on September 1.

Later, RAB personnel arrested Md. Shaheen on September 8, while Shabab Hossain Shoikat and Mohammad Mahim were apprehended in separate drives on Wednesday.

RAB seized two foreign pistols, 12 rounds of bullets, and three magazines from Shabab during his arrest.

Officers also recovered 420 pieces of Yaba tablets worth Tk 3,13,000, 400 purias (small packs) of heroin, 900 grams of cannabis, and cash from his possession. RAB noted that arrestee Shabab Hossain Shoikat is a named accused in three drug cases filed with Jatrabari Police Station.

The RAB-10 chief stated that one of the three seized magazines and a portion of the ammunition were identified as police property looted after August 5, 2024.

Legal proceedings against the arrestees are currently underway, while investigations continue to trace the origins of the firearms and remaining looted ammunition.

A RAB source mentioned that arrestee Md. Shaheen is the brother of victim Asha Akhter, while local political leader Monir remains absconding. Although members of the Auto Sojol Group were arrested with arms and drugs by joint operations, law enforcement agencies are yet to arrest anyone from the rival Monir Group.

Earlier, the Wari Division of Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police arrested four individuals in connection with the same shooting, recovering two foreign pistols, two magazines, two rounds of bullets, a switchblade knife, a sharp dagger, and 160 Yaba tablets.

-SA