The Special Response Battalion (SRB) has arrested a key suspect named in the First Information Report (FIR) of a double-murder case in Ataikula, Pabna.
The suspect, 26-year-old Md. Musa, was apprehended during an early morning drive on Sunday in the Pushpapara Purba Bangram area. Assistant Superintendent of Police Dolly Rani Sarkar, Acting Company Commander of SRB-12, confirmed that Musa is the ninth named accused in the case. He has been handed over to Ataikula Police Station for further legal proceedings.
The arrest follows a case filed on Saturday by Rubel Hossain brother of one of the victims. The FIR names 15 specific individuals along with 10 to 15 unidentified suspects.
The fatal attack occurred on Thursday evening around 6:45 PM over a long-standing dispute regarding the lease of the Pushpapara local market (haat). Masked gunmen opened fire on market leaseholder Abdus Salam Haji (55) and his nephew Ripon Hossain (50) while they were at their office. Both victims died shortly after being rushed to Pabna General Hospital.
Abdus Salam Haji was the convener of the Pabna Sadar Upazila Sramik League (an organization currently under a ban) while Ripon Hossain served as the president of the Ataikula Union Sramik Dal. Police confirmed that investigation efforts and drives to arrest the remaining suspects are ongoing.
