Five RAB members injured in attack while collecting ‘drug-related intelligence’ in Natore

Police detain a local man accused of leading the confrontation in Lalpur

Members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have come under attack while gathering intelligence on drug traffickers in Natore.

The incident occurred in Nabinagar of Lalpur’s Ishwardi at 9:30pm on Tuesday, said Lalpur Police chief Md Shafiqul Islam.

Police later rescued five injured RAB personnel and shifted them to hospital for treatment.

Officers apprehended the key suspect Sohag Mahmud immediately after the assault.

Police officer Shafiqul explained that a six-member team from the Natore RAB camp arrived in Nabinagar on motorcycles, dressed in plain clothes, to collect data on local drug dealers.

A group of 15 to 20 local youths, led by Sohag, blocked their path and seized their motorcycle keys.

An altercation ensued, leading the group to attack the elite force members.

Although the attackers initially confronted the police team that arrived to quell the unrest, officers eventually brought the situation under control.

Shammi Akter, medical officer at Lalpur Upazila Health Complex, said four of the injured were given first aid, while one member, Md Shahin Hossain, was admitted to the hospital.

RAB CPC-2 Deputy Assistant Director Nurul Islam said the personnel were acting on a tip-off when they were targeted.

He added that the force is preparing to take legal action over the incident.