A foreign-made pistol, a magazine, a walkie-talkie and a pair of handcuffs bearing the Bangladesh Police monogram. Also found were a roll of black duct tape, a shopping bag and a Hiace microbus. Five people were allegedly preparing to carry out a robbery in Banani with these items.

Acting on a tip-off, the Gulshan Division of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch (DB) arrested the five suspects red-handed. According to DB sources, one of those arrested is currently serving in the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).

The operation was carried out at 9:35am Thursday in front of Khayer Palace on Road 4 of Block A under Banani police station. The operation, involving around 45 members, led to the arrest of Md Masud Rana, 29, Md Rajib Howlader, 30, Hafizul Matbar, 24, Mohammad Shakil Hossain, 24, and Md Badal, 42.

According to DB sources, Masud Rana is a soldier of RAB and is currently working in the Dog Squad Division at RAB headquarters.