6 Injured as 'Sand Mafia' Ambush Naval Police on Padma River

Six people, including five members of the naval police, were injured in a shooting during a patrol on the Padma River.

The incident occurred around 1:30 am on Tuesday (April 21) in the Haripur of Kushtia, while a team from the Laxmikunda naval police outpost was on routine duty.

According to police and witnesses, unidentified assailants launched an ambush on the patrol team. A gunfight followed, leaving five members and a boatman injured.

The injured were rescued in the morning with help from locals and taken to Pabna General Hospital.

One of the, police member Manik Mia, was later transferred to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital due to his critical condition.

Dr Hasanuzzaman Tutul, duty doctor at Pabna General Hospital, said six individuals were admitted. “Two underwent minor procedures to remove bullet fragments. Two others were released after first aid, while the remaining patients are under treatment,” he said.

The injured include Laxmikunda naval outpost in-charge Khandaker Shafiqul Islam, police members Inamul Haque, Shahinur Haque, Nazmul Hasan, Manik Mia, and boatman Tuhin Malitha.

Speaking from the hospital, Khandaker Shafiqul Islam said the team had gone to investigate illegal sand extraction on the river. “When we tried to stop them, they opened fire,” he said, adding that legal action would follow.

Pabna Additional Superintendent of Police Mashiur Rahman said have visited the scene and started an investigation. “We hope to identify those involved soon,” he said.