Pabna, July 17 (V7N) — In a major operation against organized crime in western Bangladesh, military forces raided the hideouts of the notorious 'Kakon Bahini' gang—allegedly connected to a local Awami League leader. The pre-dawn raids were conducted on Thursday across Saroa Ghat in Pabna’s Ishwardi upazila and Diyar Bahadurpur in Natore’s Lalpur upazila.
 
Three individuals were arrested, and a large quantity of illegal arms, ammunition, drugs, a human skull, and Tk 12.36 lakh in cash were seized. Investigators also discovered detailed records of an alleged extortion and bribery network involving local government officials, police, and political figures.
 
The arrested are:
 
Mehefuz Sohag (40), brother-in-law of Awami League leader Kakon, from South Bhabanipur, Bheramara in Kushtia
 
Ashraful Islam Bappy (30), from Arambaria, Ishwardi
 
Rokeya Khatun (55), wife of one Bhassan, from Khaigi Mari Char, Lalpur
 
Local sand traders and residents report that the Kakon Bahini gang has long controlled sand extraction sites in Pabna, Kushtia, and Natore through violence and extortion. Although most river ghats are under their control, they failed to take over Saroa Ghat due to its legal leaseholder. On June 5 and again last Saturday, the gang reportedly opened fire in a dramatic attempt to seize control, injuring a cattle herder named Sohan Hossain.
 
Following widespread public and media attention, military units from the Pabna and Natore cantonments launched a joint operation on Thursday. During the raid, they recovered:
 
Three foreign firearms
 
Ammunition, Locally made weapons including a ram dao and Chinese axe, Torture equipment, including a "steamroller" device, Phensedyl, yaba tablets, marijuana plants Mobile phones, SIM cards, A human skull, and Tk 12.36 lakh in cash
 
Two volumes of bribery records detailing payment distribution by week and month
 
The documents allegedly show monthly bribes as follows:
 
Tk 4 lakh to Lakshikunda River Police, Tk 1 lakh to the Natore Deputy Commissioner, Tk 50,000 to the local Circle Superintendent of Police, Tk 25,000 to the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Bagatipara Police Station, Tk 25,000 to a local television journalist, and Tk 5,000 weekly to Asian Television correspondent Payel Hossain Rintu
 
Military sources said that the arrested suspects provided details on Kakon Bahini’s operations, which included arms and drug trafficking, nighttime drug parties, and exploitation of women. Sohag and Bappy stated that they worked as boat operators and cash handlers for the gang. They claimed the group maintained complete control over local trade and movement through intimidation and violence.
 
Mizanur Rahman Sarkar, a legal leaseholder of a sand ghat in Bagha, Rajshahi, praised the military action:
"We’ve been doing legal business for years under lease from the government. Kakon Bahini extorted money from every boat. They blocked our operations if we refused. This raid is a historic moment. We are thankful to the military."
 
Lalpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mamimunzzaman said the detainees would be formally shown as arrested once the River Police file an official case.
 
Natore Superintendent of Police Amzad Hossain responded to allegations about police involvement, saying:
"This is the first I’m hearing of it. If you have documents, send them now — we are taking immediate action."
 
When contacted, Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner Khandakar Azim Hossain said, "I’m not aware of the incident," before disconnecting the call.
 
Military authorities confirmed that further operations will continue to dismantle criminal syndicates and ensure law and order in the region.
 
END/MSR/SMA/