Police conducted a raid at the home of Roni Chowdhury, alias 'Grenade Babu', a top listed criminal in Khulna, on Friday afternoon. His brother, Mahmudun Chowdhury (Jhonny), was arrested during the operation.
The raid took place at Shamsur Rahman Road in Khulna city around 5:30 PM and continued until 6 PM. KMP Deputy Commissioner (South Division) Rezaur Rahman confirmed the information to Prothom Alo. He said that the raid was part of a special joint operation and that Jhonny is currently being interrogated.
Rezaur Rahman also mentioned that several other individuals, including top terrorists from different areas and members of Grenade Babu's group, were arrested as part of the special operation.
Previously, joint forces had conducted raids at Grenade Babu's home on April 4 and June 8 of the previous year, arresting his father and another brother. During those raids, weapons, drugs, and 38 lakh taka were recovered, along with a one-shot gun, several bullets, and currencies from different countries.
Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP) has launched a special operation in response to recent concerns about terrorist activities, extortion, and drug trade in Khulna. Local residents have complained about the weak surveillance and inactivity of law enforcement, which has allowed various terrorist groups to gain strength.
Nine terrorist groups are currently active in Khulna city and district, with the most complaints centered around 'B-Company', led by Grenade Babu. Recently, several associates of this group were arrested in police operations. However, on Wednesday, allegations surfaced that Grenade Babu's associates had demanded extortion money and shut down a market in Sheikhpara.
Police sources say that Roni Chowdhury was sentenced to life imprisonment on March 27, 2023, in the Jahangir Hossain murder case. Jahangir Hossain was brutally murdered on June 10, 2010, and the investigation revealed that the murder was due to a dispute over the division of drug money.
