6 held in Paltan for attempted robbery disguised as RAB personnel

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has detained six members of a robbery gang who were allegedly attempting to carry out a robbery impersonating RAB personnel in the capital's Paltan area. 

According to RAB, the gang had gathered in Paltan to execute their plan in Narayanganj's Sonargaon region. 

The detainees are Shahid Majhi, Mamun, Mizan, Md Jewel Biswas, Md Alamin Duari alias Dipu, and Md Abul Kalam Azad.

RAB's Legal and Media Wing Director MZM Intekhab Chowdhury disclosed the information at a press briefing at the RAB Media Centre in Karwan Bazar this afternoon (10 December).

He stated that on Tuesday (9 December) around 4:45pm, an intelligence-driven team from RAB-10's Jatrabari camp learned that an organised gang was preparing a robbery in the Paltan Model Police Station area. 

"When their movements raised suspicion, the team intercepted their microbus on VIP Road and challenged them. The six suspects initially claimed to be RAB members and presented identification cards, which were later confirmed to be fake," said the officer.

Upon searching the vehicle, Intekhab Chowdhury said the team recovered 4 RAB-printed belts, 4 caps, 5 fake RAB ID cards, 2 handcuffs, 2 sets of walkie-talkies, a pistol cover, a baton, 2 extra number plates, 5 smartphones, 4 button phones, an airpod, a pair of gloves, 4 wristwatches, and Tk20,045 in cash. 

All items, along with the silver microbus used in the suspected operation, were seized.

According to Intekhab Chowdhury, as per plans devised by Shahid Majhi, Mamun, and Mizan, suspect Jewel Biswas and Alamin Duari have long been carrying out robberies across the country by impersonating members of law enforcement, including RAB. 

On Tuesday afternoon, Shahid and Mamun called the others to gather in front of Ananda Bhaban in Paltan. As directed by Mizan, Abul Kalam Azad brought the microbus, where the group later examined the robbery tools supplied by Mamun before setting off for Sonargaon to execute the operation.

RAB also confirmed that Jewel Biswas is accused in 15 cases, including robbery; Alamin Duari also faces 15 cases, including Arms Act charges; and Abul Kalam Azad has 6 cases, involving robbery and narcotics. 

Jewel had previously robbed Tk16 lakh in Srinagar of Munshiganj, by posing as a DB officer and was arrested in that case. The gang was also involved in kidnapping a man from Paltan by impersonating DB officers for extortion.

Intekhab added that Jewel led the gang, recruiting new members by promising them employment and later forcing them into participation in robberies.