Four arrested over DNC officer shot in Sayedabad

Police have so far arrested four people along with three firearms in connection with the shooting of a Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) inspector during an anti-drug drive in Dhaka's Sayedabad on March 2.

The arrest and firearms recovery came during various drives in Swamibagh area near the Sayedabad rail gate, DMP Deputy Commissioner (Wari Division) Mollick Ahsan Uddin said at a briefing at DMP Media Centre today.

Three firearms, 23 ammunition, five spent shells, and a motorcycle used by the attackers were also seized during the drives, he said.

“The breakthrough came after two traffic sergeants nearby chased the suspects immediately after the shooting. During the pursuit, the gunmen dropped a revolver and four rounds of ammunition before fleeing,” DC Mollick said.

Acting on intelligence and employing technology, police later tracked down and detained three individuals.

“A follow-up raid early hours of today, based on information from initial interrogations, led to the recovery of two more firearms. One of the recovered weapons has been identified as a lost or looted police firearm,” the official added.

When asked about the firearm, the deputy commissioner said it was unclear whether the suspects were involved in looting a police station, but investigations are ongoing to determine how they obtained the weapon.

The suspects, residents of the Wari and Gopibag areas, do not appear to be professional drug traffickers, police said, describing them as local thugs and drug addicts.

On March 2, a DNC team conducted a random search in Swamibagh. During the search, attempting to flee, the suspects fired five shots indiscriminately to create a distraction, one of which struck Inspector Siddiqur in the leg.