Handcuffed accused taken from custody, 5 cops injured

Five policemen were attacked while trying to arrest an accused in a case in Mymensingh. The attackers hacked and beat the policemen and then kidnapped the accused along with his handcuffs. The incident took place at 4 pm on Tuesday in the city's Digarkanda Fishery More area.

Kotwali Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Nazmus Shakib confirmed the matter and said that while the accused named Ariful Islam was being arrested and brought to the police station, his associates launched an ambush on the police. Five policemen were seriously injured in the incident. The injured have been admitted to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital.

Police said that during the attack, the accused's associates snatched Ariful Islam along with his handcuffs. After the incident, tension spread in the area, RAB and army members patrolled to bring the situation under control.

Police have arrested Ariful Islam's father, Sagar Ali, on charges of involvement in the incident.

According to locals, a few days ago, Ariful Islam and his associates hacked and beat a man named Russell, seriously injuring him. Russell is currently undergoing treatment at the capital's Pangu Hospital in critical condition. A case has been filed at the Kotwali Model Police Station in the incident.

Police also said that a five-member team led by the investigation officer of the case, SI Farid Ahmed, raided the Digarkanda area on Tuesday afternoon and arrested Ariful Islam. While returning with him, several hundred people led by his father Sagar Ali attacked the police with sticks and country-made weapons. At one stage, they hacked and beat the police members indiscriminately and injured them and snatched the accused.

SI Farid Ahmed said that the injured police members have been admitted to the hospital as their condition is critical.

OC Md. Nazmus Shakib said, "The incident of taking away the accused by attacking the police on duty is a very serious crime. The operation is ongoing to arrest those involved in the incident and rescue the kidnapped accused."