259 bhori gold stolen from Shah Ali Market, five guards missing

Gold ornaments weighing 259 bhori have been stolen from two jewellery shops at Shah Ali Shopping Complex in the capital's Mirpur. Five security guards of the market have been missing since the incident.

Police at Darus Salam Police Station suspect the theft took place around 5:56am on Sunday.

The gold ornaments were stolen from Al Razzaq Jewellers and A Hossain Jewellers, both located on the second floor of Shah Ali Shopping Complex. The owners of the shops are Md Jasim Uddin and Abul Hossain respectively.

Police said 200 bhori of gold ornaments were stolen from Al Razzaq Jewellers and 59 bhori from A Hossain Jewellers, both located on the second floor of the complex under Darus Salam Police Station.

Darus Salam Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Dulal Hossain said it is initially believed to be a planned theft. Five security guards of the market have been missing since the incident. Others may also be involved in the incident. The process of filing a case is underway.

Police said that in addition to the market's own security system, a security guard was also on duty at night from the jewellery shops themselves. Allegations have surfaced that he was fed sweets laced with sedatives and rendered unconscious. The criminals then took the gold ornaments from the two shops.

Al Razzaq Jewellers owner Jasim Uddin said several security guards were seen on CCTV footage participating in the theft.

A case has been filed at Darus Salam Police Station over the incident. However, no arrests have been made as of 9:30pm on Sunday. Police have also not recovered any of the stolen gold ornaments.

Police are working to identify and arrest those involved in the incident.