7 crew members brutally murdered on a ship in Meghna River: Police suspect planned attack

In a shocking turn of events, seven crew members of a fertilizer-carrying ship named MV Al-Bakhera were brutally murdered in the Meghna River near Ishanbala, Haimchar in Chandpur. 

Attackers are believed to have slit the victims‍‍` throats and crushed their heads while they were asleep. One other person was severely injured and is currently being treated in the hospital.

The naval police discovered the bodies on Monday afternoon, December 23rd, around 3 PM. The ship was anchored at a submerged sandbar near the mouth of the Ishanbala Canal.

Eyewitnesses and police revealed that the bloodied bodies were found in different sleeping quarters of the ship. Police believe the attackers used sharp weapons while the crew members were asleep. 

Some of the victims had severe head injuries, while others had their throats slit, and there were signs of wounds on other parts of their bodies.

All the deceased were crew members of the ship, and four of them have been identified so far. 

They include the ship’s master, Golam Kibria (65), from Faridpur Sadar Upazila; driver Salauddin; sukan (helmsman) Aminul; and lascar (deckhand) Sabuj Sheikh (26). Golam Kibria and Sabuj were uncle and nephew. 

Police also stated that Salauddin and Aminul were from Narail. The injured deckhand, Jewel, is the son of Sekandar Khalashi from Bokartila village in Faridpur Sadar Upazila.

Chandpur’s Additional Superintendent of Police, Sudipta Roy, mentioned on Monday evening, December 24th, that this appears to be a premeditated murder. 

He added that mobile phones, wallets, and other personal belongings were found untouched at the scene, which strengthens the theory of a planned attack.

The ship‍‍`s owner, Diplu Rana, told the media that he had spoken to the ship’s master for the last time at around 8:30 PM on Sunday, after the ship had departed from Chattogram. 

During their conversation, the master informed him that the ship was moving with a fleet in the Meghna River. However, on Monday morning, none of the crew members responded to calls.

Rana said, "After trying to reach them repeatedly, I contacted the crew of another ship, Mugni-3, which was nearby. When they reached the ship, they found out about the murders."

Mugni-3 was heading toward Chattogram. The ship’s driver, Mohammad Bacchu Mia, shared with the media that he reached MV Al-Bakhera around 1 PM after receiving a call from the owner. 

He tried calling his nephew, Jewel, who was on board MV Al-Bakhera, but received no response. Bacchu then informed the owner, who advised him to board the ship and investigate.

Bacchu Mia recounted that their helmsman, Robiul, boarded the ship and discovered five bloodied bodies. None of them were alive. They also found three other crew members severely injured. 

The crew immediately called the emergency hotline 999, and the naval police were dispatched to the scene.

The naval police later rescued the three injured crew members and sent them to Chandpur 250-Bed General Hospital.

Dr. Anisur Rahman, a medical officer at the hospital, confirmed that two of the injured were declared dead upon arrival. Another victim, identified as Jewel, was transferred to Dhaka Medical College for further treatment.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Chandpur Naval Police Station, A.K.M. Iqbal, said that although they tried to communicate with the injured Jewel, he was unable to speak. However, he managed to write down his name and a phone number.

In response to the incident, the Ministry of Industries has formed a four-member investigation committee, led by an additional secretary, to look into the murders. 

The committee has been given five working days to submit a detailed report that includes the reasons behind the killings, the extent of the damages, and recommendations to prevent future incidents.

The Ministry of Industries expressed its deep sorrow over the tragic murders and extended condolences to the victims‍‍` families. 

The ministry also called for the immediate arrest and punishment of the culprits involved in the crime.