Robbers open fire on Gazaria police camp

A gang of river-based robbers launched a brazen armed assault on a newly established temporary police camp in Jamalpur village of Gazaria upazila, Munshiganj, on Sunday evening, triggering a fierce gunfight.

According to police, the robbers opened fire and hurled crude bombs at the camp around 5:00pm near the banks of the Meghna River. Officers responded with retaliatory fire, forcing the assailants to flee after an exchange of over 100 rounds.

“Under the leadership of Pias, five to six trawlers carrying 30–35 armed men attacked the camp, firing indiscriminately and detonating four to five crude bombs,” said Gazaria Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Anwar Alam Azad. “Our officers responded with 19 rounds in self-defence. Fortunately, no police personnel were injured. We cannot confirm if any robbers were wounded.”

Munshiganj Police Superintendent Mohammad Shamsul Alam said the gang likely intended to extort riverside residents but were thwarted by the police presence. “They retreated after the exchange of gunfire. We’ll be taking stronger action to eliminate their operations in the area.”

Some media outlets, citing police sources, reported that the gang may have used weapons previously looted from law enforcement.

Eyewitnesses reported that the gang, believed to be led by the notorious Noyon–Pias group, approached the camp in engine-powered trawlers and initiated the assault with homemade grenades, followed by a barrage of gunfire. The shootout lasted for over 30 minutes.

Locals say Gazaria's remote char areas, particularly in Guagachia Union, have long been strongholds for multiple river-based criminal groups. Infighting between rival factions—including the Noyon-Pias and Lalu groups—has recently escalated, fueled by disputes over illegal sand extraction, extortion, and control of river routes.

To combat rising violence, police established the temporary camp on August 22. SP Shamsul Alam noted that the increased law enforcement presence has disrupted the robbers’ operations, leading to growing frustration among the gangs.