An associate of the notorious bandit leader Shahin, identified as Shafiul Alam alias Ledaputu, 28, was shot dead early Saturday, January 24, in Ramu upazila of Cox’s Bazar. The incident occurred around 5 a.m. in front of the Majhirkata Beltali Kata Mosque in Gojonia Union. Police and local sources reported that rival bandit and criminal Abdur Rahim and his group ambushed and opened fire on Shafiul Alam, killing him on the spot. Police later sent the body to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy.

Ramu Police Station Officer-in-Charge Monirul Islam Bhuiyan confirmed the death and said necessary legal steps were being taken. However, family sources claimed that Shafiul Alam was taken out of his house during dinner and killed in a planned attack. Local sources said Ledaputu had long worked as an associate of Shahin, a top criminal in the hilly areas of Ramu, and was allegedly involved in smuggling and other crimes using the Myanmar border area.

Police stated that at least 11 criminal cases, including murder, were filed against the deceased.