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Detectives have claimed to have uncovered the motive behind the fatal shooting of Jubo Dal activist Md Yusuf in Dhaka’s Kafrul, alleging that the incident stemmed from a botched contract killing in which hired assassins missed their intended target and instead shot Yusuf dead after being confronted by local residents.
At a press briefing at the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Media Centre on Monday, Additional Commissioner (DB) of the DMP Shafiqul Islam said four professional hitmen had been hired for Tk 25 lakh to assassinate Kafrul Thana Jubo Dal Member Secretary Hafizul Islam Babu. The assailants, however, failed to reach their target and opened fire when suspicious locals challenged them, resulting in Yusuf’s death.
The July 24 shooting also left two bystanders, vegetable vendor Nalam Sardar and Md Monir Hossain, critically injured.
According to the DB, the hired killers travelled from Magura and Jhenaidah to carry out the planned assassination.
Police have so far arrested eight suspects 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).
Investigators said the alleged murder plot originated from a longstanding dispute between Kafrul Thana Swechchhasebak Dal Joint Convener Hafizur Rahman Hafiz, popularly known as CNG Hafiz, and Babu over the control of household garbage collection, roadside businesses and possession of a tin-shed property in the area.
The DB chief said the first attempt to kill Babu on June 29 failed after the firearm malfunctioned while the attackers were loading it.
The suspects allegedly returned to Dhaka on July 22, checked into a hotel in Mirpur-2 and spent the following day preparing for another attempt.
On the night of July 23, the assailants reportedly took position near Babu’s office. When local residents questioned their presence and asked to search them after they gave conflicting identities, one of the suspects allegedly opened fire. Yusuf was killed on the spot, while two others suffered serious bullet injuries.
Shafiqul said detectives conducted a parallel investigation alongside Kafrul Police Station, using information technology and intelligence to identify those involved. Nahid and Shafin were arrested first, followed by Ziarul, Ali, Jihad and Masum in operations carried out in different districts. Chanchal and Abir were reportedly apprehended by local residents and later handed over to police.
Asked whether any senior political figures were involved, the DB chief said the investigation would proceed without regard to political affiliation.
“Criminals will be treated as criminals, regardless of their political identity,” he said.
According to investigators, the arrested suspects told police that Hafiz had hired them to carry out the assassination. Detectives also suspect the planned killing may have been linked to the upcoming councillor election, although the motive is still under investigation.
Police have identified Hafiz as the alleged mastermind behind the contract killing and said efforts are underway to arrest him.
Investigators have recovered one firearm believed to have been used in the attack and are trying to trace the source of the remaining weapons.
Two separate cases, one over murder and another under the Arms Act, have been filed with Kafrul Police Station. The murder case has since been transferred to the Detective Branch, which is continuing its investigation while searching for the remaining suspects.