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controlled various illegal activities in Mirpur, including jhut trading, extortion, housing and developer businesses, and collecting money from footpath vendors. Kibria had reportedly become an obstacle to these operations.

“Due to this, they planned to eliminate him,” he added.

According to Rab, the two arrested suspects admitted their direct involvement in the killing. Lopen told investigators that he fired two rounds at Kibria, while another blank shot was used to disperse people during the attack.

Shahabuddin said six to seven people were involved in the “killing mission”, with three shooters assigned to carry out the attack, including one Johnny, who had been arrested earlier.

Other arrestees include Monir Hossain alias Sohail, also known as “Pata Sohail”, and Sujon alias “Bukpora Sujon”.

The Rab official said others involved included Masum, who was part of a backup team ensuring the shooters’ escape; Sohail, who supplied weapons and coordinated security; and Sujon, who conducted surveillance on the victim.

“The two shooters went into hiding after the incident and initially tried to flee the country through illegal routes. However, tightened border security thwarted their plans. They later returned to Dhaka and were preparing to go abroad legally by arranging passports and visas before being arrested,” he said.

Golam Kibria, 50, was shot dead on the evening of November 17 last year at a shop in the Mirpur-12 area. Assailants opened fire on his chest and back before fleeing. During their escape, they also fired at locals, leaving a rickshaw-puller seriously injured.

Locals managed to catch one of the shooters and handed him over to police.

The victim’s family later filed a murder case with Pallabi Police Station.