BNP leader, three aides held with ‘hidden gun’ in Narayanganj

RAB says Bazlur Rahman -- locally known as “Don Bazlu” -- is accused of being involved in “terrorist activities”

A Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader and three of his associates have been arrested with a firearm and ammunition at a Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) checkpoint in Narayanganj’s Siddhirganj.

RAB-11 Company Commander Lt Commander Naim Ul Haq said the arrests were made on Saturday afternoon at Shimrail following a search of their vehicle.

The key detainee Bazlur Rahman, widely known by the alias “Don Bazlu”, is the vice-president of the Sonargaon Upazila unit of the BNP.

He is a resident of Kutubpur in Kanchpur Union.

Lt Commander Naim said a pistol was found concealed beneath the seat of the BNP leader’s personal car during the search.

Two rounds of ammunition were also recovered at the scene, he added.

The three others arrested alongside him were identified only as Saidul, 34, Abdul Jabbar, 43, and Yunus Bandhan, 20.

All three are from the same area and are described by the RAB as close followers of Bazlur.

According to RAB, Bazlur is locally known as “Don Bazlu” because of allegations linking him to what the force described as “terrorist activities”.