The Detective Branch (DB) of police has claimed to have uncovered the motive behind the fatal shooting of Jubo Dal activist Md Yusuf in the capital's Kafrul area.
According to the DB, four hired gunmen were paid Tk 2.5 million to kill a local Jubo Dal leader. However, after being confronted by local residents, they allegedly opened fire during the ensuing clash, fatally shooting Yusuf instead, report agencies.
Addressing a press briefing at the DMP Media Centre on Monday, Additional Commissioner (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Shafiqul Islam said The July 24 shooting was allegedly the result of a failed contract killing operation aimed at targeting Hafizul Islam Babu, the member secretary of Kafrul Thana Jubo Dal.
He said the attackers had travelled from Magura and Jhenaidah to carry out the planned assassination.
However, during the operation, Yusuf was shot dead while two bystanders -- vegetable vendor Nalam Sardar and Md Monir Hossain -- sustained critical injuries, the DB chief said.
Police have so far arrested eight people in connection with the case. They are Chanchal, Jihad Molla (30), Ziarul Molla (39), Masum Billah (28), Nahid Hasan (21), Abir Hawlader (25), Ali Hossain (45), and Shafin Ahmed (22).
According to the DB chief, the attack stemmed from a long-running dispute between Kafrul Thana Swechchhasebak Dal Joint Convener Hafizur Rahman Hafiz, also known as CNG Hafiz, and Babu over household garbage collection, roadside businesses and the possession of a tin-shed house.
He said four professional killers from Magura and Jhenaidah had been hired for Tk 2.5 million to kill Babu.
The first assassination attempt on June 29 failed after the firearm malfunctioned while being loaded. The suspects later returned to Dhaka on July 22, stayed at a hotel in Mirpur-2 and prepared for the attack on the night of July 23.
When local people questioned the identities of the suspects near Babu's office, they claimed to be residents of Mirpur-10. As locals attempted to search them, one of the attackers opened fire, fatally shooting Yusuf and injuring two others, Shafiqul said.
He said detectives launched a parallel investigation alongside Kafrul Police Station. Using information technology, investigators first arrested Nahid and Shafin and later detained Ziarul, Ali, Jihad and Masum from different districts. Chanchal and Abir were caught by locals and handed over to police.
Responding to a question about possible involvement of senior political leaders, the DB official said criminals will be treated as criminals regardless of their political identity.
He said the arrestees told investigators that Hafiz had hired them to carry out the attack.
Investigators also suspect the planned killing may have been linked to the upcoming councillor election. Hafiz has been identified as the alleged mastermind and efforts are underway to arrest him.
