Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested five people in connection with stabbing of Dr Ahmad Hossain, deputy director of the National Cancer Hospital and Institute, in Dhaka’s Mohakhali area.
Wing Commander MZ Intekhab Chowdhury, director of RAB’s Legal and Media Wing, confirmed the matter at a press briefing held at the RAB Media Centre in Kawran Bazar on Tuesday.
Speaking at the event, Intekhaba Chowdhury said the attack was carried out by hired assailants as part of an effort to intimidate the hospital official over a dispute related to tender processes between two institutions.
According to RAB, the attackers used sharp weapons, leaving Dr Hossain injured in the hand and back. He was initially taken to the National Cancer Hospital and Institute and later transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment.
Following the incident, an administrative officer of the hospital filed a case with Banani Police Station against 8 to 10 unidentified individuals.
RAB said intelligence surveillance was intensified immediately after the attack. Based on the information gathered, a joint operation was conducted by RAB-1 along with the intelligence wing at RAB headquarters. The operation led to the arrest of five suspects from different areas, including Dakshinkhan in the capital.
The arrested individuals are: Shariful Alam Karim, Aminul Islam Kalu, Salauddin Bodi, Sajjad, and Arifuzzaman. Law enforcement officials noted that several of the suspects have multiple cases pending against them at various police stations across the country.
According to preliminary interrogation, a dispute between two groups over a tender at the National Cancer Hospital triggered the attack. RAB said the attack was carried out by hired criminals, adding that no evidence of political involvement has been found.
Wing Commander Entekhab Chowdhury stated that the conflict involved two groups, ‘Rubel’s EME Traders’ and ‘Monaem Group’. Rubel, who is currently in Malaysia, allegedly ordered the attack, while his associate Karim and others executed it locally.
RAB officials said the attack was carried out by hired assailants in exchange for only Tk 20,000. Based on the nature of the assault, investigators believe it was intended to intimidate rather than to kill.
He added that investigators obtained crucial information by speaking with the victim doctor immediately after the incident, which helped expedite the investigation process. As a result, the suspects were identified and arrested within a short period.