Police arrest David Emon, alleged aide of Ctg gangster Boro Sazzad, near Jhikargacha border

David Emon, whose name has surfaced repeatedly in some of Chattogram's most high-profile extortion, murder and armed attack cases, was finally netted early today (29 July) in Jashore's Jhikargacha border area along with four associates after weeks of police surveillance.

Police also raided the hideout of his close associate Raihan, but he managed to slip through the dragnet after sensing officers' presence. "He too will be arrested soon," Chattogram Superintendent of Police Md Masud Alam said.

Already accused in 13 criminal cases, Emon was thrust back into the spotlight after the daylight attack on internet service provider DDN's office, where attackers allegedly made off with about Tk35 lakh following an extortion bid. 

Police had earlier named him in the investigation into the heavily armed attack on Smart Group Managing Director Mujibur Rahman's residence. His arrest has once again thrown Chattogram's shadowy underworld into the spotlight.

Rose through gang ranks

Police say David Emon began as a foot soldier in Sarwar Babla's criminal network, working under Chhoto Sazzad and Hasan before climbing the ranks as arrests, infighting and leadership vacuums reshaped Chattogram's underworld. 

He later emerged as a trusted operative of the "Boro Sazzad" group, running operations from its Kanchannagar stronghold. After Chhoto Sazzad's arrest, Emon stepped into a bigger role, while associate Raihan took charge of the group's sand trading business.

Police said Emon was arrested in Cox's Bazar in 2024 but bounced back after securing bail. Following the 5 August 2024 political transition, turf wars between the Sarwar Babla and Boro Sazzad factions intensified over extortion, contracting, arms, construction materials and KDS Jute-linked interests, triggering a string of killings and reprisal attacks. 

Investigators say Emon steadily carved out his own network as Boro Sazzad's old guard weakened.

File photo of Mobarak Hossain, alias David Emon (centre), taken after his arrest by police in Cox's Bazar in 2024. Photo: Collected

From 'Dhakaiya Akbar' killing to Bakalia double murder

Police's Crime Data Management System lists David Emon in 13 cases – six at Bayezid Bostami Police Station and one each at Chandgaon, Panchlaish, Bakalia, Patenga, Hathazari, Fatikchhari and Raozan.

He is the prime accused in the July 2026 DDN extortion and armed attack case, while joint RAB-DB operations have already arrested 22 suspects, including associate Michael. 

Emon is also a named accused in the May 2025 murder of "Dhakaiya Akbar" and a double murder in Bakalia.

Police allege he ordered the second armed attack on Smart Group Managing Director Mujibur Rahman's residence, supplying submachine guns sourced from an armed group in Khagrachhari. Investigators say the DDN office was attacked after its owner refused to pay Tk2 crore in extortion.

DDN executive Nasir Uddin told TBS the company received repeated threats before and after the attack from callers claiming to represent a top criminal syndicate. 

RAB questions 'Boro Sazzad' association

RAB-7 Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Hafizur Rahman said recent audio and video clips invoking Boro Sazzad may be aimed at creating fear. 

He said Boro Sazzad has lived abroad for years, making it unlikely he still directly controls criminal networks in Bangladesh, and suggested others may be exploiting his name to project influence. 

CMP Assistant Commissioner (Public Relations) Aminur Rashid said police have no evidence Emon was the second-in-command of the alleged Boro Sazzad group or that Boro Sazzad has any active presence. "David Emon has repeatedly used Boro Sazzad's name to establish influence," he said, adding that possible political links are also under investigation. 

SP Masud Alam said police believe Emon has been operating from hiding inside Bangladesh while pretending to be abroad. "No criminal is above the state. All will be brought to justice," he said.