Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) on Friday said the killing of Jubo Dal leader Golam Kibria in Pallabi, Mirpur, was driven by disputes over political dominance and extortion.
RAB disclosed the information at a press briefing at its RAB-4 office in Mirpur, saying that six to seven people were involved in the murder.
Two suspects—Md Rashed alias Lopen, 35, and Md Jahangir Hossain alias Kallu, 40—have been arrested along with a foreign-made revolver and three rounds of ammunition. RAB said both were directly involved as shooters.
Md Shahabuddin Kabir, additional superintendent of police and company commander of RAB-4, said the arrestees confessed to their involvement. He said one of them admitted to firing several rounds at close range to kill Kibria and a blank shot to disperse nearby people.
RAB said the operation involved three shooters, including previously arrested Johnny, a “rescue team” member known as Bhagina Masum, arms supplier Pata Sohel, and a surveillance team member named Sugon. Investigators said a total of six to seven people took part in the coordinated attack.
According to RAB, the motive was linked to Kibria’s growing influence in local politics. He was the member secretary of Pallabi Thana Jubo Dal and was being considered for a higher position in the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
The agency also found alleged links between the murder and local criminal Moshiur Rahman Moshi, who was said to control illegal businesses, including sand trading, housing, developer businesses, and footpath extortion. RAB said Kibria had become an obstacle to these operations, which may have led to the planned killing.
The incident took place on November 17 last year, when three masked assailants entered a shop in Mirpur-12 and shot Kibria at close range. While fleeing on a battery-run auto-rickshaw, the attackers also shot and injured the driver after he failed to move quickly.
After the incident, Kibria’s wife, Sabiha Akter Dina, filed a murder case with Pallabi Police Station, naming five accused and several unidentified individuals. One shooter, Johnny, was caught by locals at the scene, while Monir Hossain alias Sohel and Sujon were arrested on November 18, 2025.