Double Murder Follows Threat: Shibir’s ‘Big Sajjad’ Linked to Eight Murder Case

Staff Correspondent

Two days after a Facebook Live threat by the grandmother of Shibir hitman “Chhoto Sajjad,” who declared, “We used to kill in secret, now we will kill openly,” a double murder took place in Chattogram on Saturday, sparking nationwide concern. Police have arrested two suspects in connection with the incident.

According to the plan, 13 attackers on six motorcycles chased a private car carrying six passengers. As the vehicle reached Rajakhali Bridge in Baklia, the attackers fired their first shots but failed to stop the car. They continued the chase and, upon reaching the Chandanpura Access Road, opened indiscriminate fire, riddling the car with bullets. Two passengers were killed on the spot, while two others were injured.

The attackers used 9mm pistols and fired over 50 rounds. Their main target was another criminal, Sarwar Hossain Babla. The murder stemmed from a power struggle between Babla and Shibir hitman Sajjad Hossain, also known as “Chhoto Sajjad.” The entire operation was orchestrated from abroad by Shibir leader and notorious gangster Sajjad Ali Khan, known as “Boro Sajjad.”

Boro Sajjad was one of the main perpetrators of the infamous Eight Murder case in Chattogram. On July 12, 2000, Shibir assassins gunned down Chhatra League leaders in Bahaddarhat. Sajjad was one of the key killers. He was later sent abroad by Jamaat-e-Islami, from where he continues to control a vast empire of murder, extortion, abduction, and criminal syndicates.

According to police sources, the victims of Saturday’s attack were Bakhtiar Hossain Manik (28) from Uttar Burischar, Hathazari, and Abdullah Al Rifat (22) from Purbo Dhechuya, Ramu, Cox’s Bazar. Police claim to have identified five suspects and have filed a case against Chhoto Sajjad, his wife Sharmin Akhter Tamanna, and several others.

On April 3, Thursday, police arrested two suspects allegedly involved in the shooting.

Ronel Talukder stated that the vehicle used in the attack was rented by its driver, Iman, in Lohagara on the morning of the incident. Later, Iman’s friend, Manik, drove the car. On Tuesday, two days after the murders, Manik’s mother, Feroza Begum, filed a case at Baklia Police Station. The case named Chhoto Sajjad and his wife Tamanna as the main suspects, along with five identified and six to seven unidentified assailants.

Feroza Begum alleged that her son Manik worked as Babla’s personal driver, while Rifat also had ties with him. The victims had been socializing at the Karnaphuli Bridge area during Ramadan. On the night of the incident, as they were returning home, gunmen attacked their vehicle in a planned assault orchestrated by Sajjad and Tamanna.

Mohammad Robin, who was injured in the attack, suspects that Babla played a role in Chhoto Sajjad’s arrest, leading to the retaliatory killings.

Baklia Police Station Officer-in-Charge Ikhtiar Uddin stated that efforts were underway to apprehend the suspects, which would provide further insights into the murder.

The power struggle between Chhoto Sajjad and Babla has led to multiple killings since August 5. Sajjad, a key Shibir operative, previously issued threats against law enforcement. Widespread criticism erupted when he was not immediately arrested, leading authorities to announce a bounty for his capture.

On March 15, Sajjad was arrested from Bashundhara Shopping Complex in Dhaka. Following his arrest, his wife Tamanna posted a video threatening retaliation, saying, “We were in hiding; now it’s your turn to hide.” On March 26, Sajjad’s grandmother, Rehena Begum, also issued a threat, stating, “We used to kill secretly; now we will kill openly.” Two days later, the double murder was carried out in a cinematic fashion.

Chhoto Sajjad and Tamanna accused Babla of orchestrating police action against them. On January 15, Tamanna filed a court case against six people, including the OC of Bayezid Bostami Police Station, naming Babla as an accused. She claimed Babla accompanied the police during Sajjad’s arrest.

Police sources identified Sajjad Ali Khan as a notorious Shibir terrorist from Chattogram. He was convicted in the Eight Murder case and was arrested in 2000 with an AK-47 rifle. In 2004, during the BNP-Jamaat regime, Jamaat leaders helped him obtain bail and flee abroad.

Even today, those constructing buildings, conducting business, or buying land in Bayezid, Panchlaish, Chandgaon, and Hathazari reportedly receive extortion calls from Boro Sajjad. Any refusal to pay results in violent retaliation by his operatives. For over two decades, he has maintained control over the region.

One of his close associates, Nurunnabi Maxon, died in India. Another Shibir operative, Dhakaiya Akbar, split from Babla’s group and formed his own gang. This led Boro Sajjad to mentor Chhoto Sajjad, making him a ruthless enforcer. After Chhoto Sajjad’s recent arrest, his followers have allegedly received protection from Boro Sajjad and Habib Khan, who are operating from abroad.

On March 20, a woman filed a case at Panchlaish Police Station, seeking protection after assisting police in capturing Chhoto Sajjad. She named 11 accused, including Sajjad Ali Khan, Habib Khan, and Tamanna, alleging that she now fears for her life.