Dhaka’s criminal underworld appears to be re-emerging, with several of the capital’s top-listed offenders becoming active again. In recent weeks, incidents of murder, hacking and public shootings have risen, triggering concern among residents and law enforcement alike. At least 14 areas—including Mohammadpur—have seen heightened activity by organised criminal groups, marking a noticeable uptick in violent crime.
In response, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has launched a combing operation targeting listed criminals and their associates, aiming to curb the resurgence and restore control.
In the past 21 months, 23 major incidents have taken place in the capital involving or allegedly planned by organized criminals. Of these, seven were murder cases. In six cases, people from rival groups were killed, while one involved a stabbing. The rest included shootings at businesses, bomb blasts, stabbings, and threats.
On April 12 this year, Iman Hossain, leader of the “Alex Group”, was hacked to death in Rayerbazar. On November 10 last year, top criminal Tarik Saif Mamun was shot dead in Old Dhaka. Other incidents include: BNP leader Kamrul Ahsan Sadhan was murdered in Badda (May 25), Jubo Dal leader Arif Sikder was shot dead in Hatirjheel (April 19), and Internet businessman Suman Mia (alias Teli Suman) was killed in Gulshan (March 20). A double murder in Rayerbazar on September 20, 2024, where Imam-ul Hasan (alias Picchi Helal) was accused.
Most recently, on April 28, top criminal Khondokar Naeem Ahmed (alias Titon) was shot dead in public, reigniting discussions about Dhaka’s criminal underworld.
Law enforcement sources say these killings are largely driven by territorial dominance and personal conflicts. After August 5, when police forces were weakened, criminals became more active. Additionally, several top criminals—including Mamun, Picchi Helal, and Iman—were released on bail, allowing them to re-establish control and divide territories for criminal activities. Criminal groups are reportedly involved in extortion and control over garment waste (factory leftovers), household garbage management, cable TV and internet businesses, transport extortion, cattle markets during Eid, construction contracts, and local extortion networks. These conflicts often lead to violent clashes and killings.
DMP Commissioner Md Sarwar stated that authorities are taking strict action to suppress criminal activity before it escalates further. He said that while there are no major “top criminals” currently active, former associates are attempting to rise and are under constant surveillance.
He added that although criminals are mostly targeting each other rather than the general public, police are still actively monitoring the situation. Since May 1, a combing operation has been ongoing, with arrests based on intelligence.
Special operations, including sudden block raids, checkpoints, surveillance, and CCTV analysis, are being conducted. Units such as the Detective Branch (DB) and Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) are also involved, using cyber monitoring and modern technology.
Authorities have adopted a coordinated security strategy to combat extortion, drugs, illegal arms, terrorism, and online gambling. The goal is to eliminate criminals and make Dhaka safer.
Combing operation begins
During the BNP-led four-party coalition government, a list of 23 "top criminals" was published in 2001. Criminals like Emon, Titon and Picchi Helal on that list were supposed to be under the watch of law enforcement agencies. However, there was no effective monitoring of who these criminals are now, where they are, the reality of bail in the cases, and whether they are appearing in court. And terrorist groups have exploited this opportunity.
Law enforcement officials say that a section of unemployed youth in financial crisis are being exploited by criminals living abroad. In this regard, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Additional Commissioner (Crime and Operations) SN Md Nazrul Islam told Dhaka Tribune that most of the top criminals are now living outside the country. They are trying to control the criminal world of Dhaka from outside the country. Combining operations have started against the top criminals and their associates from May 1.
Residents say crime is high in 14 areas of Dhaka
The 14 areas of the capital identified as highly crime-prone include Dhanmondi, Hazaribagh, Rayerbazar, Mohammadpur, Adabor, Mirpur, Pallabi, Kafrul, Gulshan, Badda, Moghbazar, Hatirjheel, and Motijheel. Residents say organized criminals are influential in these areas. These locations are now significant in the criminal landscape of Dhaka, where influence is reportedly shifting between established criminals, their associates, and local politically affiliated groups.
Ripon Ashraf, a bank official living in Dhanmondi, told Dhaka Tribune that the presence of organized criminals, including high-profile figures, has increased in the area. He said that, being a wealthy neighbourhood, criminals have taken control of various sectors, including cattle markets, vehicle theft operations, internet and cable TV businesses, and new construction sites. “No one can escape without paying,” he said.
He added that, as the area is adjacent to an embankment, incidents of theft, robbery, and mugging continue. Criminals reportedly escape easily to Keraniganj and other areas after committing offences. “The government has talked about suppressing crime, but crime has not decreased anywhere in Dhaka,” he said.
Abdul Matin, a resident of Mohammadpur, told Dhaka Tribune that Mohammadpur has become a crime-prone area. He said that Picchi Helal was released on bail after 5 August and has been seen moving through various alleys in the Sheikh Tek area. He alleged that Picchi Helal is controlling parts of Mohammadpur. He added, “It is not acceptable to grant bail to top criminals in this way,” referring to the current government.
Expert Opinion
After August 5, 2024, due to the fragile state of law enforcement agencies, including the police, organized criminals became active in various ways. At least seven prominent criminals, including Imamul Hasan Helal alias Picchi Helal of Mohammadpur, Sanjidul Islam alias Emon of Hazaribagh, Khandaker Naeem Ahmed alias Titon, Abbas Ali of Mirpur (known as “Killer Abbas” by police), and Sheikh Mohammad Aslam alias Sweden Aslam of Tejgaon, were released on bail. At least three of them later went abroad. Some had previously stayed abroad and operated criminal activities in the country from there. Subrata Bain also became active again after August 5, 2024.
Professor Muhammad Umar Faruk, Chairman of the Department of Criminology and Police Science at Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, said that granting bail to top criminals is unacceptable. He said that many were released due to political considerations.
He added that bail conditions—such as remaining under police surveillance, appearing in court regularly, and not leaving the country—have not been properly enforced. As a result, many criminals have become politically empowered and are attempting to control the underworld through political influence. He emphasized that both the state and law enforcement agencies cannot avoid responsibility for this situation.