Two police officers were injured and held hostage for nearly five hours during an attack by militants from the clandestine Jamaat-Shibir network in Beanibazar, Sylhet. The officers were ambushed while conducting a raid to arrest a suspect in a recent attempted murder case.
The incident occurred Monday afternoon in Ghungadia village, when police raided the home of Abul Khayer, the Naib-e-Ameer (Deputy Chief) of Jamaat-e-Islami in the upazila. During the operation, Sub-Inspector Sourav and Constable Delwar Hossain were assaulted and held captive by Jamaat-Shibir activists, who brutally beat them.
According to police, the raid was part of an effort to arrest Jamaat-Shibir cadre Jamil Ahmed, wanted in connection with the April 19 machete attack on a young man in Majher Bazar, the municipal area of the town. Acting on a lead, the officers discovered that Jamil was hiding in the caretaker’s quarters at Abul Khayer’s residence.
When the police attempted to enter the house, Abul Khayer reportedly objected and summoned local Jamaat and Shibir operatives. A large group then gathered at the scene, launched a violent assault on the officers, and confined them inside the house.
A local resident, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “I heard shouting and saw the two police officers sitting inside the house, surrounded by over a hundred people. They were being beaten. Later, around 9 PM, senior police officials arrived and rescued them.”
In response to the incident, Abul Khayer claimed, “I only asked the police why they were at my home. When they behaved rudely, locals became agitated. I then kept the officers safe inside the house.”
Beanibazar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Ashraf Uzzaman confirmed the incident, stating, “The police were on a lawful operation when they were taken hostage.”
A local administration official, confirming the events, added, “The officers were assaulted but have since been rescued.”
Authorities are continuing the investigation and planning further action against those involved in the attack.