Terrorists Attack Smart Group Chairman’s Residence in Chattogram

Unidentified gunmen opened fire on the house of Smart Group Chairman Mostafizur Rahman in Chandanpura under Chawkbazar Police Station in Chattogram city early Saturday.

The attack took place around 6:30am on February 28. The same house was also targeted in a shooting on January 2.

Police and local sources said five to six police members were on duty at the residence during the attack. The assailants fired several rounds within minutes and fled before anyone could be detained.

CCTV footage shows four masked men approaching the house and firing indiscriminately.

According to initial police findings, one attacker was carrying two pistols. Others used a submachine gun (SMG), a Chinese rifle and a shotgun.

Hossain Kabir Bhuiyan, Deputy Commissioner (South) of Chattogram Metropolitan Police, said the attackers arrived in a private car and a motorcycle. They left the vehicles some distance away, walked to the house, opened fire and quickly fled.

He said the suspects wore masks, making identification difficult. However, police suspect the involvement of Md. Raihan and Borhan, described as associates of fugitive criminal Sajjad Ali, also known as Boro Sajjad, who is reportedly abroad. A drive is underway to arrest those involved.

Mostafizur Rahman alleged that followers of Sajjad Ali carried out the attack over unpaid extortion demands. He claimed that Tk 10 crore was first demanded, later reduced to Tk 5 crore. He said the January shooting occurred after he refused to pay. About 20 days ago, he also received a “wait and see” message on WhatsApp.

Police said the investigation is ongoing and security has been reinforced in the area.