Members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have said that six to seven individuals were involved in the killing of Jubo Dal leader Golam Kibria in Pallabi, Mirpur.
Investigators suspect the murder was planned to establish political dominance and control over extortion activities in the area.
6-7 persons involved in the murder linked to political dominance, extortion control, says RAB
The assessment follows the arrest of two shooters who directly took part in the killing. They were detained along with a foreign-made revolver and ammunition.
At a press briefing held at the RAB-4 office in Mirpur on Friday, Company Commander and Additional Superintendent of Police Md Shahabuddin Kabir identified the arrested individuals as Md Rashed alias Lopon, 35, and Md Jahangir Hossain alias Kallu, 40.
According to RAB, the suspects attempted to flee the country through illegal border routes after the incident but failed due to tightened security. They later returned to Dhaka and began preparing to go abroad through legal channels.
Acting on a tip-off, RAB conducted a drive on Thursday night, arresting Rashed from the Rupnagar Eastern Housing area and Jahangir from Diabari in Uttara. Based on information provided by Rashed, a foreign-made revolver used in the killing and three rounds of ammunition were recovered from his residence, Shahabuddin said.
During interrogation, Rashed confessed to firing two rounds at Kibria and an additional blank shot to disperse nearby people, he added.
Shahabuddin further stated that three shooters were involved in the killing mission, one of whom, identified as Jony, had already been arrested earlier. Several others assisted by supplying arms, ensuring security, and facilitating the escape of the attackers. Among them are individuals known as "Bhagina Masum," "Pata Sohel," and Sujon.
Regarding the motive, this RAB official said preliminary findings suggest the killing was carried out to establish political dominance. Based on confessions, interrogation, and analysis of devices seized from the suspects, investigators found links between the accused and a top local criminal, Mashiur Rahman Moshi.
On November 17 last year, Kibria was shot dead at close range inside a shop in Mirpur-12 by masked assailants.
