Gunmen open fire on Ctg businessman’s residence after ‘refusal to pay Tk10cr extortion’

Armed assailants opened fire on the residence of a top businessman in Chattogram today (28 February), triggering panic in the neighbourhood as the house was already under police protection following a similar attack earlier this year.

The businessman alleged that followers of fugitive crime figure Sazzad Ali carried out the attack after failing to extort a large sum of money from him.

The incident occurred around 6:30am in the city's Chandanpura area, targeting the home of Smart Group Chairman Mostafizur Rahman, according to police.

Earlier, on 2 January, attackers fired shots at the same house, shattering window glass and damaging the main door. Police had since been deployed there for security.

Speaking to The Business Standard, Mostafizur said Sazzad, currently abroad, had been demanding extortion payments for a long time.

"He first demanded Tk10 crore and later reduced it to Tk5 crore. When I refused, my house was attacked in January," he said, adding that about 20 days ago, he received a WhatsApp message from Sazzad saying, "Wait and see."

Describing the latest incident, he said masked gunmen began firing shortly after dawn prayers.

"We were preparing to go back to sleep when armed men started shooting from behind the house. They fired six to seven rounds," he said.

According to him, a security guard alerted five to six police personnel stationed at the residence. Officers moved to the second floor and prepared to retaliate, but the attackers fled before any exchange of fire.

The assailants were armed with pistols, a Chinese rifle and other sophisticated weapons, he added.

Asked whether he would file a case, the businessman said, "What will happen by filing a case? Police were already here, yet the shooting happened."

CCTV footage shows a coordinated attack

Police said CCTV footage shows four masked individuals approaching the residence with firearms and opening fire.

Preliminary analysis indicates that one attacker carried two pistols, while the others used a submachine gun, a Chinese rifle and a shotgun.

A team led by Chattogram Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner (South) Hossain Kabir Bhuiyan inspected the scene after the incident.

He said the attackers arrived using a private car and a motorcycle, leaving the vehicle at a distance before walking to the house and carrying out the shooting. They fled within minutes.

"Initially, we suspect the attack was carried out by associates of fugitive criminal Sazzad Ali, also known as Boro Sazzad, in connection with extortion," the police official said.

He added that suspects believed to be Sazzad's associates, Mohammad Raihan and Borhan, are under investigation and drives are underway to arrest them.

Who is Sazzad?

Sazzad Ali Khan, son of contractor Abdul Gani of Chattogram's Chalitaly area, emerged in the city's criminal underworld after the 1999 killing of councillor Liaquat Ali Khan. Although acquitted due to lack of evidence, law enforcement agencies say his influence expanded afterwards.

Police have long linked him to the Bahaddarhat mass shooting in 2000, widely known as the "Eight Murder" case, in which eight people, including six Chhatra League activists, were killed. He was later arrested with an AK-47 rifle, but left the country in 2004 after securing bail. Authorities say he has since controlled criminal operations remotely from abroad.

Law enforcement officials claim Sazzad has run an extensive criminal network across Chattogram for more than two decades and is listed among Interpol's most wanted fugitives under the name Sazzad Khan.

Police say his followers often resort to shootings when extortion demands are not met. Residents across several police station areas in the city and district, including Chandgaon, Bayezid Bostami, Panchlaish, Hathazari and Raozan, have long lived under fear linked to his group's activities.

Since August last year, Sazzad's associates have reportedly been implicated in at least 10 murder cases, including double murders, according to police sources.