The murder of Imran Hossain in Dhaka's Dhalpur area was motivated by a dispute over the control and dominance of local drug trade, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) disclosed during a press conference at the DMP Media Center on Minto Road on Wednesday.

Briefing reporters, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of DMP Wari Division Mallick Ahsan Uddin Sami confirmed that Jatrabari police arrested five suspects, including the ringleader, during intelligence-led drives. Police seized one pistol, two magazines, five rounds of live ammunition, six crude bombs (cocktails), three Chinese axes, two machetes, two switchblade knives, and a Yamaha motorcycle from their possession.

The arrestees have been identified as Riazul Islam alias Riaz alias Kalia Riaz, Kamrul Hasan, Md. Saiful Hossain, Jamil Mia alias Dolon, and Mithu alias Dobar Mithu.

According to DC Sami, the incident occurred at around 10:30 PM on September 6, when Imran and his associate Saddam were sitting inside a parked car at Badal Sardar Lane in Dhalpur. A gang of helmet-clad, masked assailants arrived on three motorcycles and opened fire indiscriminately before attacking them with sharp weapons. Imran died on the spot, while Saddam sustained critical injuries and is currently undergoing hospital treatment.

Following a murder case filed by the deceased's wife at Jatrabari Police Station, a police team launched multi-location drives across Dhaka metropolitan and district areas. On September 8, police arrested the prime suspect, Riazul Islam alias Kalia Riaz, from the Par Gandariyabag area of South Keraniganj, seizing the pistol, two magazines, ammunition, and motorcycle. A Chinese axe was later recovered from beneath his mattress based on his confession.

Subsequent raids based on Riaz's information led to the arrest of Kamrul Hasan and Mohammad Saiful Hossain from Pathandogai in Demra. A search of a rented house yielded six crude bombs, two Chinese axes, two machetes, and two switchblades. In separate drives, Mithu was arrested with 70 Yaba pills on September 8, while Jamil Mia was apprehended on September 9.

A total of four cases have been filed in connection with the incident, including the murder case at Jatrabari, an arms case at South Keraniganj Police Station, an explosives case at Demra Police Station, and a narcotics case against Mithu at Jatrabari Police Station.

Police revealed that all five arrestees have prior criminal records involving robbery, mugging, arms, and narcotics. Police officials explained that the drug spots in Dhalpur were previously controlled by top terror Liton alias "Shooter Liton," who is currently imprisoned alongside his close associate Khaki Babu. Imran, the deceased, was the biological brother of Khaki Babu. Following their imprisonment, rival groups began clashing over the leadership and control of the local drug trade.

Police emphasized that investigations are ongoing to trace the origin of the weapons, identify suppliers, and arrest remaining accomplices linked to the murder.