Two RAB personnel hacked as ‘drug dealers’ attack team in Narayanganj

Separate pre-dawn and afternoon operations in Narayanganj spiral into violence

Assailants have hacked two Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) personnel and injured another during an anti-drug raid at Narayanganj’s Masdair

A separate police operation earlier on Tuesday in Rupganj also came under violent attack, leaving at least seven officers injured and a suspect forcibly taken away.

RAB-11 Commander Lt Col HM Sajjad Hossain said the attack in Masdair occurred around 2pm near Boalia Canal. The injured personnel have been identified as Nazibul, Mahi and Ibrahim.

Nazibul is undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital in critical condition, according to the RAB.

RAB-11 Deputy Director Abdur Rashid said four plainclothes officers were collecting intelligence in the area when they were attacked.

“Two of them were hacked with sharp weapons,” he said, adding that CCTV footage shows assailants wielding machetes during the assault.

Commander Sajjad said the area is known for drug-related activity.

“Drug dealers in collusion launched the attack after sensing the presence of our members,” he said, without confirming any arrests from the scene.

Following the incident, additional RAB and police personnel launched extensive raids in surrounding areas. Officials said operations would continue.

Earlier the same day, around 5am, police came under attack during a raid at the Chanpara Rehabilitation Centre in Rupganj Upazila, where they had gone to arrest Jubo Dal leader Shamim Miah in an arms case.

Rupganj Police chief Md Alauddin said Shamim’s associates and family members attacked the team and snatched him away from custody.

The officers, including himself, were injured in the incident.

A walkie-talkie and two mobile phones were also seized from police, though one device was later recovered.

Shamim, senior joint general secretary of the Rupganj Thana unit Jubo Dal, has long been accused of running drug and criminal networks in the area.

Following the attack, the central Jubo Dal expelled him and urged legal action.

Senior Assistant Superintendent of Police Mehedi Islam said Shamim remains on the run and efforts are under way to re-arrest him.

In a follow-up operation, police detained 12 people, including Shamim’s wife, who were later sued in connection with the attack.