Masterminds Behind 10 High-Profile Murders Remain Uncaught
Dhaka’s underworld has spiraled into severe turbulence as professional hitmen and armed terrorists exploit a visible inertia within law enforcement agencies. Police, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and intelligence agencies have failed to bring the mastermind sponsors and perpetrators behind ten high-profile murders in the capital to justice. Despite names of prominent underworld figures and veteran gang leaders surfacing in case filings, investigators repeatedly fail to present necessary evidence in court. Even with CCTV footage analysis and advanced technological support, the submission of charge sheets against the accused faces month-long delays, escalating public concern across the city.
Criminology experts observe that while law enforcement agencies have apprehended a few foot-soldier shooters and accomplices, they have systematically failed to target core orchestrators operating from abroad or remaining hidden inside the country. Officials across various law enforcement agencies remain completely unresponsive to inquiries regarding professional criminals shielded by political patrons. Consequently, public panic is mounting over fears that underworld kingpins may fully re-establish their infamous reign of terror and dominance. At least four dozen sensational incidents involving professional criminals have occurred in the capital since August 5, 2024, driven primarily by intense struggles over territorial dominance.
Beyond targeted killings, recent underworld activities include armed raids, shooting sprees inside commercial establishments, bomb explosions, and hacking attacks. Police have yet to submit a single final investigation report to the court for any of the ten high-profile murder cases. Investigative disclosures reveal that these killings stem from fierce conflicts over illegal extortion and territorial control across various economic sectors, including the scrap metal trade, waste management, dish and internet networking, public transport extortion, cattle market leasing, contracting, and construction services. Senior police officials publicly acknowledge the involvement of top-tier terrorists and conflicts over extortion shares, yet no main mastermind has been apprehended.
In response to growing public criticism, DMP Additional Commissioner (DB) Md. Shafiqul Islam stated, ‘Significant progress has been made in almost all high-profile case investigations, and several are nearing completion.’ He explained that final reports are primarily delayed awaiting ballistic examination test results, assuring the public that charge sheets will be submitted to the court once necessary technical and forensic evidence is secured. However, Detective Police (DB) claim to have uncovered the motives behind seven homicides alongside arresting field-level shooters. Yet, no case investigation has been officially concluded through formal legal procedures, leaving the mastermind sponsors backing these operations fully shielded from accountability.
The recent wave of gang warfare initiated on September 20, 2024, with the double homicide of Nasir Biswas (29) and Munna (22) near the Rayerbazar embankment, where top-listed terrorist Imamul Hasan alias Picchi Helal was named as the primary accused. This was followed by the April 28 assassination of Khandaker Naim Ahmed Titon, listed second on the police directory of 23 top terrorists, at Bottola in New Market, where primary masterminds remain free. Similarly, listed top terrorist Yasin Khan Palash alias Kaila Palash was shot in broad daylight in Rampura on June 12 and died on June 19, with fugitive terrorist Jisan Ahmed alias Monty named as principal accused without key resolution.
Targeted political and localized violence has further intensified across Mirpur, Pallabi, and Gulshan through carefully orchestrated assassinations. On November 17, Youth Dal leader Golam Kibria was shot dead in Mirpur by order of Dubai-returned terrorist Sohel alias ‘Pata Sohel’ and ‘Bhagnay Masum’ over extortion resistance. In Pallabi, internal group feuds led to the lethal hacking of Babu alias ‘Blade Babu’ on January 20, 2025. Over in Gulshan, Suman Mia alias ‘Tele Suman’ was gunned down on March 20, 2025, in front of Police Plaza over internet distribution disputes, leading RAB to arrest mastermind Wasir Mahmud Sayeed alias ‘Boro Sayeed’ and hitman Mamun.
Political leaders and local figures have increasingly fallen victim to trans-national and local turf rivalries across the city’s key sectors. On May 25, 2025, Gulshan Thana BNP Joint Convenor Kamrul Ahsan Sadhan was shot dead in Middle Badda over market stall allocations and cable networks, a hit ordered by US-based terrorist Mehedi alias Collins in retaliation for Tele Suman’s murder. In Hatirjheel, Youth Dal leader Arif Shikdar was killed on April 19, 2025, following disputes with Subrata Bain, whose arrest in Kusthia alongside his daughter marked a rare breakthrough. However, broader networks behind these localized killings remain intact and operational.
The spiral of violence has culminated in brazen internal syndicate purges and high-value contract killings in broad daylight. On November 10, 2025, listed Old Dhaka top terrorist Tariq Saif Mamun was assassinated in Sutrapur by his own associates over historical rivalries while returning from a court appearance. Shortly after, on January 7, former Volunteer Dal official Azizur Rahman Musabbir was gunned down behind Star Kebab in Tejturi Bazar under a financial contract brokered by an overseas-based top terrorist. Although four individuals were arrested for Musabbir’s death, the ultimate sponsors and principal conspirators driving Dhaka’s underworld reign remain entirely at large.
