In a chilling revelation that has sent shockwaves through the capital, the cold-blooded murder of Juba Dal leader Golam Kibria – shot dead inside a shop in Mirpur – has been exposed as the calculated revenge of a returning crime lord bent on reclaiming his underworld empire.
The murder, captured on CCTV and witnessed by terrified locals, was not a random act of violence – it was a public declaration of war.
The masterminds: Two men who returned from Dubai
At the heart of this killing are two notorious figures who vanished from Dhaka’s criminal landscape two-and-a-half months ago – only to return with new wealth, new weapons, and a deadly agenda.
Sohel alias “Pata Sohel” alias Monir Hossain, once a feared enforcer under the late “Killer Mamun,” and Masum alias “Bhagina Masum” – both believed to have made fortunes in Dubai’s shadow economy – are now the prime architects of Kibria’s execution.
Sources confirm that Pata Sohel returned not to lay low but to reclaim control of the “Four Star Group,” the powerful underworld syndicate that once operated under Kibria’s iron grip in Pallabi.
And Kibria? He had changed.
Once a man of violence, Kibria had reportedly turned his back on crime – distancing himself from extortion rackets, drug networks, and gang wars. He began working with community initiatives. He was even preparing to contest local elections.
That made him a target.
“He didn’t just leave the life,” said a senior police officer close to the investigation. “He became a threat – a living witness to their crimes. And worse – he was becoming a symbol of change. That’s why they had to erase him.”
The killing squad: Six hitmen, one mission
Police have arrested Johnny Bhuiyan, 25, – a known hired killer with ties to multiple unsolved murders – caught red-handed at the scene while fleeing the shooting.
But Johnny wasn’t acting alone.
According to his initial confession – now being corroborated by forensic evidence and CCTV – six men were deployed in a military-style operation.
They arrived in two motorcycles, helmets obscuring their faces. Two entered the shop. Three stood guard outside. One drove the getaway rickshaw.
Inside, Johnny and two others opened fire – more than 10 bullets riddled Kibria’s body: jaw, neck, chest, arms, wrists – execution-style.
Then, in a grotesque act of intimidation, when the rickshaw driver, Md Arif, hesitated – fearing for his life – the fleeing killers shot him in the back.
“I just couldn’t go faster,” Arif, now recovering at Dhaka Medical College, whispered to reporters. “They put a gun to my head… said, ‘Drive or die.’ I didn’t move fast enough. They shot me. I thought I was dead.”
Locals chased the fleeing bikers. Johnny was caught. The others vanished – but police now have names.
The accused: A who’s who of Dhaka’s most feared
The murder case, filed by Kibria’s widow Sabiha Akhter Dina, names 13 individuals – six confirmed, seven still on the run:
Md. Johnny Bhuiyan — arrested at the scene
Sohel alias “Pata Sohel” — Dubai returnee, suspected kingpin
Masum alias “Bhagina Masum” — co-conspirator, present at the scene
Sohag alias “Kalu” — known enforcer, linked to drug trafficking
Rokon — ex-convict, specialised in getaway operations
Dorji Mamun — suspected logistics coordinator
Boma Kalu — alleged arms supplier
And seven unidentified accomplices
Police said Pata Sohel and Bhagina Masum were at the scene and watched the shooting from a distance before fleeing.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Mirpur Division) Mohammad Makshuder Rahman said a man named Johnny was arrested from the scene. During interrogation, he mentioned the names of known criminals — Pata Sohel, Bhagne Masum, Dorji Mamun, Boma Kalu and Rokon. A total of six suspects are believed to have taken part in the killing.
Rahman added that investigators are examining whether the motive is linked to business rivalry, politics or drug-related disputes, and are also looking into possible connections with the underworld.
Kibria’s sister, Smriti, broke down in tears. She told Jago News, “My brother had no conflict with anyone. They suddenly came and killed him. He never shared that he had any problems or enemies. Those men were hired to do this. Please find out who the mastermind behind the murder is.”
Shadow investigation launched
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has launched a top-secret “Shadow Operation” to arrest the killers. Additional Police Commissioner Shafiqul Islam, head of DMP’s Detective Branch, confirmed: “Wherever they are we will find them.”