Barishal house stocked with hand bombs and local weapons, two brothers detained

The weapons were kept in an attempt to assert control in a village feud, say police

The joint forces have arrested two brothers with hand bombs and locally made weapons from a house in Muladi Upazila of Barishal.

The raid was conducted on Friday morning, said Muladi Police Station chief Shafiqul Islam.

The detainees are Abbas Hawladar and Bashir Hawladar, sons of Abdur Rob Hawladar.

According to police and locals, there has been a longstanding feud between the Hawladar and Sardar families over establishing dominance in the Mirganj ferry terminal area.

On Aug 23, 2023, Abdur Rob Hawladar was hacked to death, allegedly by members of the Sardar family.

At that time, police arrested seven suspects, including Kamal Sardar and Jamal Sardar. They were recently released on bail.

Tensions flared again as the two sides prepared to reassert control in the area. Police then received information that weapons were being stockpiled at the house of one faction.

Shafiqul said, on Friday morning, the army and police raided the Hawladar house. After searching a room, eight spears, 13 hand bombs, other homemade weapons, and Tk 580,500 in cash were seized. Abbas and Bashir were detained.

A case under the Arms Act and the Explosives Substances Act will be filed against the two brothers, he added.