Masked gunmen stormed the heavily guarded residence of a prominent businessman at dawn in Chattogram, spraying bullets in a chilling reminder of the growing grip of organised extortion networks in the port city.
The latest attack took place around 6:30 am on Saturday at the Chandanpura residence of Mostafizur Rahman, chairman of Smart Group, even as his home remained under police protection following an earlier shooting.
Though no injuries were reported, the sound of gunfire shattered the morning calm, sending shockwaves through the neighbourhood and raising serious questions about security despite police presence.
Mostafizur Rahman alleged that the attackers were associates of fugitive crime figure Sajjad Ali, who had repeatedly demanded massive ransom payments.
He said the extortion demand initially stood at Tk 10 crore before being reduced to Tk 5 crore.
“When I refused to pay, they began attacking my house. This morning, four masked men came to the back of the house and fired six to seven rounds before fleeing,” he said.
According to security footage, the attackers arrived in a private car and a motorcycle, parking at a distance before advancing on foot. Armed with pistols, Chinese rifles, submachine guns and shotguns, they opened fire with apparent precision before disappearing within minutes.
One of the gunmen was seen holding two pistols, while others carried assault-style weapons, indicating what police believe was a well-coordinated and professionally executed attack.
The businessman’s residence has been under police guard since January 2, when it was first targeted in a similar shooting linked to ransom demands. Despite the security measures, Saturday’s attack exposed the boldness of the assailants, who struck under the cover of early morning light.
A police team led by Deputy Commissioner Hossain Kabir Bhuiyan of Chattogram Metropolitan Police inspected the scene soon after the shooting.
Preliminary investigations suggest the attackers are linked to Sajjad Ali, who is believed to be operating from abroad while directing extortion operations through local associates.
Police said raids are underway to identify and arrest those involved, though no case had been filed at the time of reporting.
For residents of Chandanpura, the message was unmistakable. Even under police guard, bullets found their mark – a stark signal of the reach and confidence of extortion networks still operating in the shadows.