Mirpur Jubo Dal activist killed in 'botched contract hit', detectives say

Police arrest eight suspects, including four alleged hired shooters

Detectives have uncovered what they say was a contract killing plot behind the fatal shooting of Jatiotabadi Jubo Dal activist Md Yusuf in Mirpur.

They alleged that a local party leader hired four shooters for Tk 2.5 million to kill another leader.

At a press briefing on Monday, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Branch chief Shafiqul Islam said the intended target was Kafrul Thana Jubo Dal Member Secretary Hafizul Islam Babu.

The alleged mastermind was identified as Kafrul Thana Jatiotabadi Swecchasebak Dal Joint Convenor Hafizur Rahman Hafiz, known as CNG Hafiz.

Babu survived, but Yousuf was killed in the gunfire near Opex garment factory in Mirpur-13 around 11pm on Friday.

Vegetable sellers Nalam Sardar and Monir Hossain were also wounded.

The DB chief said four shooters were brought in from Magura and Jhenidah, accompanied by four associates.

Eight people have since been arrested: Md Chanchal, Jihad Molla, Ziarul Molla, Masum Billah, Nahid Hasan, Abir Hawlader, Ali Hossain and Shafin Ahmed.

Investigators believe the plot stemmed from disputes over local influence, waste collection contracts, footpath businesses, land grabbing and the forthcoming councillor election.

According to Shafiqul, part of the Tk 2.5 million deal was paid in advance, while the suspects' travel and accommodation expenses were also covered.

A first attempt on Jun 29 “failed after a misfire”.

The group reportedly returned to the capital on Jul 22 and struck outside Babu's office the following night, opening fire when locals grew suspicious.

Chanchal was caught fleeing with a weapon; the rest were arrested through follow-up investigation.

Shafiqul said no one would be spared regardless of political identity, adding that both the victim's and the target's political links were under investigation.

Police recovered one firearm and are trying to trace the others.