KHULNA. Oct 9: Ershad Shikdar has confessed his involvement in the murders of seven people.

He disclosed names of five out of six alleged 'smugglers' of Jessore who were murdered for 'not paying his share of over Tk one crore.’ Their bodies were later dumped into the river Bhairab.

DC South Mazharul Haq told this correspondent today that Shikdar confessed his direct involvement in two more murders in addition to those in Jessore. But he refused to disclose names of the victims 'for the sake of investigation’. The names will be kept secret till Shikdar makes judicial confession. he said.

Ershad has also admitted that he was in possession of two Indian revolvers, four pipeguns and one SBL gun that he had left to his accomplices before being arrested on August 11 this year, said a KMP official. ’

Ten groups formed with 25 senior officials are interrogating Shikdar by turn round-the-clock. He was taken on 32-day police remand on October 6.

Meanwhile. Liaquat Laskar, 50. one of the armed cadres of Ershad Shikdar has been taken on police remand for eight days

in connection with the murder cases of Shajahan and Akimul.

The team started interrogating him from this evening at Dauiatpur thana.

Liaquat Lashkar was 'chief advisor of Shikdar. He was arrested from the house of Naib Subedar Habibur Rahman of the Army posted at the Chittagong Cantonment.

Subedar Habib is a cousin of Liaquat Lashkar.

Police said Lashkar has agreed to confess his guilts.

Noor-e-Alam. the bodyguard of Shikdar. was again interrogated by the members of a high-level probe committee at noon today at the KMP headquarters. He is yet to face his mentor Ershad to confirm all the murders committed in his (Noor-e-Alam) presence, police said.