Robbery at Ashulia garment factory: Goods worth over Tk1 crore looted

A group of armed robbers looted a garment factory in Ashulia in the early hours today (21 June), stealing goods worth over Tk1 crore, according to factory officials.

The incident took place at Haque Apparels and Textile Ltd, located in the Baripara area of Ashulia.

Contacted, Superintendent of Industrial Police-1 Mohammad Mominul Islam Bhuiyan said, "We are aware of the incident, and the district police are handling it."

Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime, Ops & Traffic - North) of Dhaka district Arafatul Islam said, "We visited the scene after receiving the report. An investigation is underway. Although no written complaint has been filed yet, legal action will be taken once it is."

Regarding the estimated value of the stolen goods, he noted, "We are still verifying the total loss. We'll be able to confirm after receiving a formal complaint or case filing."

Factory authorities said that around 3:00am today, a group of 15-16 robbers scaled the factory's rear wall and entered the premises.

The robbers first held two operators working in the knitting section, located in a tin-shed structure, at gunpoint and tied them up before taking away two computers.

They then captured two on-duty security guards, tied them up, and proceeded to loot approximately 10 tonnes of fabric and five tonnes of yarn from the knitting section's warehouse.

The stolen goods, estimated to be worth around Tk1.06 crore, were loaded onto two trucks and taken away by the robbers around 4:00am, factory sources said.

Nazrul Islam, senior manager (administration) of the factory, said the robbers were armed with pistols, machetes, and other locally-made weapons.

"They entered by climbing over a gate at the back of the factory. After subduing the staff and guards, they looted the goods and fled in trucks," he added.