Gazipur, Jan 05 (V7N) — Police have arrested Shafiullah, a leader of the Delhi-based Maulana Saad faction of Tablighi Jamaat, in connection with the killing of three individuals during a night-time attack at the Bishwa Ijtema Maidan in Tongi, Gazipur. This arrest marks the 10th accused detained in the murder case.

Shafiullah, aged 46, was apprehended on Saturday night from the Stadium Road area of Shariatpur Palang Police Station. A team from Tongi West Police Station, led by Sub-Inspector Md. Asaduzzaman, carried out the arrest with assistance from Shariatpur Sadar Police Station. Shafiullah is the son of the late Badsha Mia of Dogri Talukder Bari village under Naria Police Station in Shariatpur. He serves as the Khatib of Mugda Baro Mosque in Dhaka and is a prominent leader of the Saad faction.

Habibullah Raihan, media coordinator of Tablighi Jamaat's Shurayi Nejam, confirmed the arrest and stated that Shafiullah is being brought to Tongi West Police Station for further investigation.

Tensions between the followers of the two Tablighi Jamaat factions, one led by Maulana Saad and the other by Maulana Jobayer, escalated over control of the Tongi Ijtema Maidan. On December 18, at approximately 3 am, Saad supporters allegedly launched an attack on members of the Almi Shura faction, resulting in the deaths of three individuals from Kishoreganj, Faridpur, and Bogra districts.

SM Alam Hossain, a follower of Maulana Jobayer, filed the murder case on December 19. Two other Saad faction leaders, Muaz bin Noor and Zia bin Kashem, were previously arrested in connection with the incident.

Police continue to investigate the case and work to bring those responsible to justice.

END/MSS/AJ