Adabor attack linked to ‘honey trap’ during alleged ransom attempt, police say

Officers believe a supposed rescue of a couple in Adabor was a ploy, with a ransom dispute spiralling into a violent episode

Police suspect a “honey trap” was behind a violent attack on law enforcers in Adabor on Monday night, saying the incident stemmed from an attempt to extort ransom under the guise of rescuing a couple.

The incident occurred around 10pm in Sunibir Housing, where police driver Al Amin was hacked with a machete by local youths. He sustained injuries as assailants vandalised a police vehicle and even tried to set it on fire.

Following the attack, police lodged a case and launched overnight raids, arresting 102 people. Five have been shown arrested in connection with the case, while others were produced in court on separate charges.

Police said the assault was led by a teen gang under “Raju”, known locally as “Kobzikata Raju”, with his brothers Roni and Jony, both identified by single names, also involved.

Assistant Commissioner Mehedi Hasan of Mohammadpur-Adabor Zone said the operation began after a 999 call reported that a couple had been abducted for ransom by local thugs.

“When police attempted to rescue them, they came under attack,” he said.

Investigators said a young man had gone to meet his girlfriend when locals detained them and demanded a hefty sum. Negotiations dragged on as the couple were moved from one house to another “for security reasons”.

At one stage, the youth alerted his father and brothers, who in turn called police. Before police arrived, relatives clashed with the captors in a running battle that left several injured, investigators said.

Inspector Abdul Malek of Adabor Police said the attackers kept shifting the pair during the raid, forcing officers to chase them from rooftop to rooftop. Both the youth’s father and he were injured in the scuffle.

Police later claimed the gang had used the woman, identified as Rina Begum, to lure the man, making the incident a deliberate honey trap. She was among the 102 arrested as investigations continue.

“We are assessing everyone’s role. If the youth’s family wishes to file a case, it will be taken,” Malek said.