Catch this killer

During the anti-discrimination movement from 16 July to 4 August, violent clashes erupted between members of the ruling Awami League and protesters at various places in Chattogram city.

Several armed men were seen firing on students, using shotguns, pistols, revolvers, and even a shooter gun, leaving seven people dead and more than 100 protesters injured.

Analysing the incidents, TBS found that one of the gunmen was spotted in the city's New Market area, wielding an AK-47-like rifle as he fired at students on 4 August.

A photograph of this incident, captured by TBS photojournalist Mohammad Minhaj Uddin, was featured on the front page of The Business Standard on 5 August. The image showed a young man dressed in a black T-shirt, blue three-quarter pants, and a helmet, with a towel draped around his neck, shooting at the students with the AK-47-like weapon.

Who is the man?  

Our correspondent confirmed the identity of one of the gunmen after speaking with activists of various political parties and Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) officers. The gunman was identified as Mohammad Solaiman, also known as Solaiman Badsha.

Solaiman is reputed to be a close associate of Mohammad Wasim, the Councilor of Pahartali Ward 13. According to police, he faces several cases including robbery and extortion.

Recounting his experience of covering the clashes on 4 August, photojournalist Minhaj said, "Agitated students had gathered in the New Market area since morning. In the afternoon, a large procession of Awami League workers from the Sadarghat and Alkaran areas, as well as another from Enayet Bazar, marched towards New Market. Clashes soon erupted between the students and the ruling party men. Shortly thereafter, Jubo League leader Helal Akbar Chowdhury Babar arrived in a white SUV."

Minhaj further recalled, "After some time, I saw a young man wearing a towel around his neck and a helmet on his head, firing what appeared to be an AK-47."

It's AK-47's upgraded version, police say 

"Although the weapon closely resembles the AK-47, it is an upgraded version," said a CMP official who requested anonymity.

The AK-47 rifle is a military-grade weapon used by the armed forces of more than 50 countries worldwide. These weapons are typically not authorised for use by civilian forces.

The officer said these firearms should only be in the possession of the military, paramilitary, or specialised police forces.

Jubo League's Babar allegedly supplied weapons 

According to a TBS investigation, Babar, the former deputy finance secretary of Jubo League, allegedly supplied the weapons and ammunition used in attacks on students during the anti-discrimination student movement.

Some of the weapons fired during the Muradpur encounter on 16 July were reportedly delivered in a white SUV. The SUV, with registration number Chatto Metro-G 14-3221, is owned by Zafar Ullah, a close aide to Babar. On that day, Babar is said to have led the procession in that vehicle.

Additionally, Nurul Azim Roni, former general secretary of Mahanagar Chhatra League, was seen at the scene.

Babar, known to be a close associate of former education minister Mahibul Hasan Naufel, has been accused in a double murder case that occurred on 24 June 2013, in the city's CRB area. He is alleged to have controlled all tenders, train catering services, and even the recruitment and promotion of officials in the Railway (Eastern region) over the past 15 years.

3 students shot dead, 50 injured on 18 July 

On 18 July, four gunmen opened fire on students during a clash at the Bahaddarhat intersection, shouting pro-government slogans. Two men, dressed in black T-shirts and blue jerseys, were seen firing shotguns, while two others, armed with revolvers, also joined the assault. The violence left two people dead and 50 others injured.

According to an analysis of several photographs captured by TBS journalists, as well as talking to police and political party activists, one of the attackers, identified as Mohiuddin, the leader of the Chandgaon Thana Swechchhasebak League, was wearing a helmet and a white polo shirt while wielding a revolver.

Identities of some armed men known 

During the students' protests, photographs of three gunmen who opened fire on students in Muradpur on 16 July were published in various media outlets the following day.

One of the gunmen, identified as an activist of the Mahanagar Jubo League, was wearing a helmet and a light grey polo shirt. Another shooter, Md Delwar, who was dressed in a dark blue polo shirt and jeans, is an organiser of the Swechchhasebak League. Delwar used a shotgun, while Firoz fired a revolver. The third gunman, Tutul and Delwar, who fired pistols, were a close associate of Babar. Firoz is known to be involved in Awami League politics.

Police look for the gunmen 

The police did not take action against the armed miscreants before the government's fall, but a case was filed against them once the interim government assumed power. However, the accused have been in hiding since the government's collapse.

TBS attempted to contact several gunmen, including Babar, but none could be located at their listed addresses. Besides, their phones were found to be switched off.

When contacted, Additional Commissioner of CMP Abdul Mannan told TBS, "Several CMP teams are working to identify the miscreants who shoot at the students. We have confirmed the identities of several gunmen, but for the sake of the investigation, we cannot disclose their details at this time."

He added, "We are investigating who supplied the weapons and who ordered them to shoot at the protesters. A case has already been filed, and they will be brought to justice soon."