125 kg Stone Statue Recovered in Alfadanga; One Arrested

A 125 kg stone statue, suspected to be an ancient artifact, was recovered by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB-10) from Alfadanga upazila in Faridpur.

Acting on a tip-off regarding a smuggling attempt, a RAB team led by Company Commander Tariqul Islam conducted a raid on Sunday afternoon in Buraich Dakshin Para village. The statue was found hidden on the bank of a pond near the residence of one Akbar Sheikh.

Security forces arrested Saddam Sheikh (35), son of Akbar Sheikh, for his alleged involvement in the smuggling syndicate. Local sources and those involved in the recovery have estimated the market value of the statue at approximately Tk 100 crore, though official archaeological authentication is pending.

Following the operation, RAB handed over the statue and the suspect to the Alfadanga Police Station.

Alfadanga Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abul Hasnat Khan confirmed the arrest and stated that RAB-10 is in the process of filing a formal case against the accused and other members of the smuggling ring.