Case filed over machete ambush on customs officers in Chattogram

The NBR pledges to provide full security to its officers

A case has been filed over the machete ambush on two customs officers travelling in a car en route to their office in Chattogram.

One of the victims, Asaduzzaman Khan, a revenue officer of Chattogram Customs, filed the case with Double Mooring Police on Thursday evening.

A media statemnet sent by the National Board of Revenue (NBR) confirmed the filing of the case, which alleged that the incident occurred in the Agrabad CDA residential area at 10:35am.

The other victim targeted in the attack is Badrul Arefin, an assistant revenue officer.

The statement said the attack targeted the officer for “obstructing release of illegally imported products”.

Three unidentified miscreants on a motorcycle waylaid the car, which was carrying the two government officers to their office in Chattogram from the regional customs intelligence office in the morning, it added.

“The assailants attacked with machetes with the intention to kill and smash the car’s window on the left side by kicking,” the statement said, describing the incident.

While the assailants shouted to open fire, the officers ran for their lives toward their office, it added.

The motive of the attack “could be some steps that the officers recently took to prevent tax evasion”.

Since May, the NBR said, Chattogram Customs seized banned poppy seeds, artificial sugar, and cigarettes worth Tk 400 million.

Asaduzzaman Khan received a threat on his life at 4:30pm on Oct 5 after he spotted the import of products under false names. He filed a general diary over the threat.

The NBR has condemned the attack and pledged to provide full security to its officers.

The victims did not recognise any attackers.

Double Mooring Police Station chief Babul Azad said they were scrutinising CCTV footage.

“The motive is primarily thought to be previous enmity,” he said.