2 top criminals arrested with firearms, abandoned mortar shell recovered in Kushtia
Two alleged top criminals were arrested with foreign-made firearms in separate raids by law enforcement agencies in Daulatpur upazila of Kushtia, while an abandoned mortar shell was recovered in another operation on the same day.
A team of RAB-12, Meherpur CPC-3, conducted the raid around 5:30pm yesterday (1 January) at Bajudanga village under Sadar Union of Daulatpur. Although the operation was launched as part of an anti-narcotics drive, two youths were searched after their movements appeared suspicious, leading to the recovery of firearms and ammunition.
The arrestees were identified as Sohag Hossain Gittu, 21, son of Siddiq Ali of Philipnagar village, and Mission Islam, 19, son of the late Didar Mondol of the same village.
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RAB said a foreign-made pistol (Made in US), one magazine and three rounds of live ammunition were recovered from Sohag Hossain Gittu. From Mission Islam, a foreign-made revolver (Made in Afghanistan), one magazine and two rounds of live ammunition were seized. Law enforcers also recovered Tk10,000 in cash and a mobile phone from their possession.
According to law enforcement officials, the two are known as top criminals in the char areas and are active members of an organised criminal gang locally known as the "Gittu Bahini."
Meanwhile, around 6:30pm the same day, an abandoned old mortar shell was recovered from Daulatkhali village under Sadar Union of Daulatpur.
The mortar shell was found at the residence of late Md Asmat Ullah, a retired senior warrant officer, after locals noticed it lying there and informed the authorities. The shell is estimated to be about 24 inches long and weigh around 18 kilograms. Law enforcement personnel quickly reached the spot and took it into safe custody.
Confirming the matter, KAM Mamun Khan Chishti, camp commander of RAB-12 CPC-3, said legal action is underway against the two arrestees under the Arms Act, and steps are underway to hand them over to Daulatpur Police Station.
Daulatpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Arifur Rahman said police are aware of the RAB operation, though the arrestees have not yet been handed over. He added that necessary legal and security procedures are also being taken regarding the 1971-era mortar shell.
