'Suspicion of mugging': Two held over attack on foreign nationals near Bashundhara R/A

Police on Wednesday (5 March) detained two individuals over Tuesday's (4 March) mob attack on two foreign nationals, who identified themselves as Iranians, near the Bashundhara Residential Area on suspicion of mugging.

The detainees are Abdullah, 20, and Sabbir Mia, 19, said Vatara Police Station Inspector (investigation) Sujon Haque. A case in connection with the incident has been filed by the station's Assistant Sub-Inspector Chhoton Chandra Das.

On Tuesday, the foreign nationals sustained injuries in the mob beating and were later taken to Kurmitola General Hospital for treatment, OC Mazharul Islam of Vatara Police Station told The Business Standard.

The incident took place around 1:45pm on the Bashundhara Main Road, opposite to the Abu Sayeed gate of the Jamuna Future Park. Locals present in the area suspected that the foreigners used the "devil's breath" drug and mugged a man who had just withdrawn about Tk2 lakh from the bank.

The commotion started after a local resident raised the alarm of a man being mugged.

According to police, they initially learned that a local resident allegedly spotted the foreigners taking money from the man as he headed out of the bank.

When confronted by the local resident, the foreign nationals got into their car and tried to drive away. The resident then shouted and drew the attention of others who then chased down the vehicle.

The agitated crowd then vandalised the car, and beat up the two men. A Bangladeshi citizen, who was with the two, was reportedly assaulted as well.

Police said the foreigners identified themselves as Iranian tourists and said they had arrived in Bangladesh two days ago with plans to stay for a month. 

However, initially they were thought to be Nigerians as per communication from police officials।