2 shot dead in late-night gun attack on car by bike-riding assailants in Chattogram

Highlights:

• Car passengers were followers of top criminal Sarwar Hossain Babla
• Bike-riding assailants were reportedly followers of "Chhoto Sajjad"
• Both groups exchanged gunfire, attackers were heavily armed: CMP
• Sources say Babla Group attacked over Chhoto Sajjad's recent arrest
• CMP says conflict connected to disputes over control of sand trading
• Citywide operation launched to catch the perpetrators
• One suspect detained by police, Babla remains at large

Two people have been killed and two others injured in a deadly gun attack on the passengers of a car carried out by motorcycle-riding assailants in Chattogram city.

Police said the incident occurred near the entrance of Bakalia Access Road under Chawkbazar Police Station at around 2:45am today (30 March).

The deceased were identified as Bakhtiar Uddin Manik and Md Abdullah, both in their 30s, according to police.

Manik, who was driving the car, hailed from Rangunia and Abdullah from Hathazari.

The injured victims, Robin and Hridoy, were admitted to Chattogram Medical College Hospital.

According to witnesses, the car was chased by armed assailants on four to five motorcycles from Rajakhali Bridge towards the Access Road during the attack. Each motorcycle carried two riders who openly fired at the vehicle while shouting threats. The car's passengers were heard screaming for help.

Police and multiple sources suggest that the attack was linked to an ongoing gang rivalry between groups led by Sajjad Hossain, alias "Chhoto Sajjad", and his rival Sarwar Hossain Babla.

Sajjad was arrested in Dhaka on 15 March, and Babla's group is believed to have been targeted in retaliation, sources said.

However, Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) Deputy Commissioner (DC - North Zone) Amirul Islam said the conflict is connected to disputes over control of sand trading operations.

Amirul said members of the Babla Group were travelling in the car when they were chased by members of the Khorshed Group, who were on motorcycles. Khorshed Group operates under Sajjad's gang.

"Both groups exchanged gunfire. The attackers were heavily armed," he said.

The CMP official added that when police patrol vehicles were spotted in Chandgaon, a member of the Babla Group sought help. Meanwhile, the motorcycle-riding assailants fired indiscriminately at the car, resulting in casualties.

One suspect, identified as Iman, has been taken into police custody, while Babla remains at large, he said.

After the incident, law enforcement officials launched a citywide search operation to track down the perpetrators. Police believe that members of the Khorshed Group have fled toward Raozan and Rangunia. Checkpoints have been set up in key areas, especially in Hathazari and along the Raozan-Rangunia route.

However, no arrests have been made or weapons recovered yet.

Who is Sarwar Hossain Babla?

Sarwar Hossain Babla is a notorious criminal known for his involvement in multiple violent cases. Once the second-in-command to "Shibir Cadre" Sajjad Ali Khan, Babla has a long criminal record, including murder, extortion, arms dealing, and robbery.

Originally from Khondkar Para in the port city's Bayezid Bostami area, he had fled to India after serving a four-year prison sentence.

He spent two years under the protection of Sajjad before returning to Bangladesh in 2020, when he was arrested at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka. After securing bail, Babla resumed his criminal activities, leading to his re-arrest in July 2024.

Despite facing 18 cases across several police stations, he remains free on bail and is reportedly involved in continued criminal activities.

Authorities have intensified efforts to apprehend the suspects involved in the gun attack, which has sparked concerns over rising gang violence in Chattogram city.

"We are doing everything in our power to catch those responsible and seize the weapons used in the attack," said DC Amirul.