Pabna, May 20 (V7N) — A rare 74-kilogram black stone (Kastipathar) idol has been recovered by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in Pabna during a joint operation, foiling an alleged attempt to sell the artifact on the black market. The accused, Raju Ahmed Babu (48), was arrested from his residence in the Chak Abdus Shukur area under Aminpur Police Station.
 
The operation, conducted at around 5:00 PM on Monday, May 19, was led by personnel from RAB-12 (Pabna and Kushtia units) following a confidential tip-off. The idol was discovered buried in the front yard of the suspect’s home.
 
Raju Ahmed Babu is a resident of Kazi Sharifpur village and the son of the late Mokhsed Sheikh. Authorities suspect he was planning to sell the idol illicitly for a large sum of money on the black market.
 
Major Md. Farhan-uz-Zaman, Acting Company Commander of RAB-12, CPC-2 (Pabna), confirmed the arrest and recovery. He stated that the operation was conducted under the direction of the commanding officer of RAB-12 after receiving intelligence regarding illegal possession of the artifact.
 
“Based on the information provided by the accused during questioning, RAB members recovered a 74-kg black stone idol that had been buried in the suspect’s front yard,” Major Farhan-uz-Zaman said.
 
The idol is believed to be made of Kastipathar, a highly valuable and culturally significant type of black stone used in ancient South Asian sculpture and religious iconography. Authorities are currently evaluating the historical importance of the artifact.
 
Following the recovery, Raju Ahmed Babu was handed over to Aminpur Police Station, along with the recovered idol, for further legal proceedings.
 
An investigation is ongoing to determine the idol’s origin and whether the suspect is connected to a broader network involved in antiquities smuggling.
 
END/SR/SMA/