Ziaur Rahman assassination: Fugitive convict Mozaffar held after 45 years on the run

The Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Branch (DB) has detained retired Major Md Mozzaffar Hossain, a convicted fugitive in the assassination case of former president Ziaur Rahman, after he remained on the run for 45 years.

He was detained late last night from the Banani DOHS area of the capital, and the matter was disclosed today (16 July).

According to the DB, Mozzaffar Hossain had been absconding since being convicted in connection with the assassination of Ziaur Rahman. Following his detention, he was handed over to the Bangladesh Army after the completion of legal formalities for further proceedings under the military justice system.

DB Chief and Additional Commissioner Mohammad Shafiqul Islam confirmed the development to The Business Standard.

Investigators describe Mozzaffar Hossain as one of the key planners of the assassination of President Ziaur Rahman, who was killed during a military coup attempt in Chattogram on 30 May 1981.

According to historical accounts and case-related records, a group of renegade army officers attacked the Chattogram Circuit House in the early hours of that day, where the then-president was staying.

Mozzaffar Hossain and Captain Mosleh Uddin were among the officers who directly took part in the operation, according to investigators. Various accounts linked to the case state that Mozzaffar was the first to identify President Ziaur Rahman and open fire on him.

After the assassination, he allegedly telephoned the then General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 24th Infantry Division in Chattogram, Major General Abul Manzoor, and informed him, "The President has been killed."

Following a military crackdown to restore control, several officers were arrested, including Major General Manzoor, who was later killed. Captain Mosleh Uddin was subsequently arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment.

However, Mozzaffar Hossain and Major SM Khaled managed to evade arrest and remained fugitives.

Sources involved in the investigation said Mozzaffar spent a prolonged period in hiding in India and was believed to have stayed there between 1997 and 1998. He later allegedly used assumed identities and moved across different locations after crossing the border.

His arrest after more than four decades marks a significant development in one of Bangladesh's most high-profile political assassination cases.

Authorities said further legal proceedings against him will now be conducted through the Bangladesh Army's judicial process.