Six arrested over shooting gold trader in Banasree

The Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has arrested six suspects in connection with the gold heist and shooting of a jewellery trader in the capital's Banasree area on February 23.

Police recovered 4.9 tolas of gold, Tk 2.44 lakh from the sale of stolen gold, a 7.62mm revolver with four rounds of ammunition, and a motorcycle used in the robbery.

DMP Commissioner SM Sazzat Ali disclosed the details at a press briefing at the DMP media centre yesterday.

The arrestees are Md Kawsar, 31, Md Farhad, 64, Md Khalilur Rahman, 50, Md Suman, 30, Dulal Chowdhury, 43, and Aminul, 35.

Detectives apprehended them yesterday in multiple operations across Dhaka, Gazipur, Narayanganj, Barishal, Pirojpur, and Madaripur.

A Targeted Attack

The victim, Md Anwar Hossain (45), is a jewellery trader and owner of Alankar Jewellers in Rampura's Avenue Road-5.

On the night of 23 February, at around 10:45pm, Anwar was returning home after closing his shop, carrying 160 tolas of gold (worth approximately Tk 2.47 crore) and Tk one lakh in cash.

As he reached his rented home in Banasree's D Block, six to seven armed robbers on three motorcycles intercepted him at the gate. When he resisted their attempt to snatch his gold and money, they shot him multiple times, hitting his left knee and thigh.

The attackers also struck him with sharp weapons, causing severe injuries before fleeing with the stolen valuables.

Anwar was initially taken to a local hospital in Rampura and later transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) for advanced treatment.

His wife filed a case with Rampura Police Station the following day.

Addressing the press, Commissioner Sazzat Ali said, "This was a meticulously planned robbery. The gang held a preparatory meeting before carrying out the crime."

He added that DB teams worked relentlessly, analysing past robbery patterns, CCTV footage, and using technology to track the perpetrators.

"One suspect was first arrested in Barishal, and his confession led to further arrests," he said.

All six arrestees have a history of robbery and multiple cases against them.

"Legal proceedings are underway, and our crackdown on criminal networks will continue," the commissioner added.