Five people have been arrested in Banani while allegedly preparing to commit a robbery, police said.
The arrestees were identified as Md Masud Rana, 29; Md Rajib Hawladar, 30; Hafizul Matbar, 24; Mohammad Shakil Hossain, 24; and Md Badal, 42.
Additional Police Commissioner (DB) Md Shafiqul Islam disclosed the information at a press conference at the DMP Media Centre on Thursday afternoon.
A foreign-made pistol, a magazine, a walkie-talkie, a pair of handcuffs bearing the Bangladesh Police emblem and other items allegedly intended for use in the robbery were recovered from them. Police also seized a Hiace microbus.
Gulshan Division of the Detective Branch received information around 9:30am that a group was preparing to carry out a robbery on Road No 4 in the Banani police station area, said the DMP official.
Acting on the tip-off, a 45-member DB team took position in the area and later conducted a raid in front of Khayer Palace on Road No 4, where the five suspects were arrested.
During the operation, police recovered a foreign-made pistol, a magazine, a walkie-talkie, a pair of handcuffs bearing the Bangladesh Police emblem, a roll of black adhesive tape, a shopping bag and the Hiace microbus.
The DB is interrogating the suspects to determine why they had gathered in the area and to establish details of their alleged robbery plan.
Investigators are also looking into whether the suspects are members of an organized criminal group, the source of the firearm, and whether they have previous criminal records or links to other offenses, police said.
Legal proceedings against the suspects are being initiated at Banani Police Station. Police are also continuing operations to identify and arrest others allegedly involved with the group.