'Administrative officer identified as mastermind behind BIAM AC explosion murder'

The Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) has cracked the case of the fatal AC explosion that claimed the lives of two employees at the BCS (Administration) Welfare Multi-Cooperative Society office in BIAM Foundation Bhaban, Hatirjheel, Dhaka. The PBI arrested two key suspects in connection with the incident: BIAM administrative officer Zahidul Islam, 38, and his accomplice Md Ashraful Islam, 36.

They were arrested on July 25, 2025, during coordinated raids in Kurigram and Dhaka. Following the arrest of Md Ashraful Islam, son of Md Abu Bakar Siddique from Kashir Khamar village in Ulipur upazila, Kurigram, at a relative’s residence in neighbouring Paschim Kanudanga village, the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) apprehended Zahidul Islam, administrative officer of BIAM and son of Md Azahar Ali of Kurigram Sadar upazila. Zahidul was taken into custody from his home in the Bashundhara residential area of Dhaka. During initial interrogation, Ashraful confessed to his direct involvement in the double murder and identified Zahidul as the mastermind behind the incident.

The explosion took place on February 27, 2025, around 3:20am in room 504 of the BIAM building under the BCS (Administration) Kalyan Bahumukhi Samabay Samity Limited, resulted in the deaths of office assistant Md Abdul Malek, who died on the spot, and Md Faruk, driver to the secretary, who later died at the National Burn Unit.

Additionally, the blast caused extensive damage to official documents, bank checkbooks, land purchase agreements, and office equipment.

Following the incident, a case was filed at Hatirjheel Police Station under multiple sections of the Penal Code, including murder and destruction of property. The investigation was transferred to the PBI on May 6, 2025. Under the leadership of PBI Chief Additional IGP Md Mustafa Kamal and Special Superintendent Md Abdur Rahman, and supervision of Additional SP Thowaiaungpru Marma, multiple specialized teams were deployed to uncover the truth behind the incident.

Through detailed analysis of CCTV footage and the use of artificial intelligence, PBI identified a masked individual who had disabled security cameras shortly before the explosion. This individual was later confirmed to be Md Ashraful Islam. During interrogation, Ashraful confessed to his direct involvement and revealed that Zahidul Islam had masterminded the plan to destroy key association documents. Ashraful stated that Zahidul promised to pay him Tk 10–12 lakh for the job and had already paid him Tk 6–7 lakh.

According to Ashraful, on the night of the incident, he disabled the CCTV cameras while office assistant Malek and driver Faruk entered the targeted room and set fire to documents using petrol. The explosion killed Malek instantly and fatally injured Faruk.

After the explosion, Zahidul took the injured Faruk to the hospital and later instructed Ashraful to flee Dhaka. Acting on the confession, PBI arrested Zahidul Islam from his residence in the Bashundhara area of Dhaka. Both Zahidul and Ashraful gave confessional statements under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure before a magistrate.

Special Superintendent of Police (SI\&O) Md Abdur Rahman stated, "The PBI remains dedicated to uncovering the truth and is working with utmost professionalism to deliver justice."