Staff Correspondent:

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested allegedly 10 active members of an organized robbery gang involved in theft and extortion in Rajshahi metropolitan area.

A press release issued by RAB-5 confirmed the detentions on Wednesday afternoon.

The arrested individuals are Abdul Awal alias Daku Awal, 45, the leader of the gang from Hosniganj area; Md Samrat, 38, from Dhotrabana area under  Damkura; Shant Islam,22, from Asam Colony area; Jisan Hossain,23, from Raninagar Monnafer Mor area; Main Hossain Alif, 19, from Kazla area; Shakil Khan, 23, from Meherchandi Koraitola area; Naim Islam,25, from Pathanpara area; Shariful Islam, 32, from the same area; Akash Hossain, 23, from Kashiadanga Kathalbari area; Sohag Ali,28, from Chakmoktarpur area under Charghat upazila; and Jibon Islam, 16,  from Kathalbari Gobindpur area.

RAB confirmed that these arrests were made on Tuesday night following a series of operations in various places accross the city. During the raids, RAB also seized four mobile phones, four wallets, cash Tk 1,645, a sharp knife, an extortion receipt book, and a motorcycle.

Awal and his accomplice Samrat are already named in multiple previous cases of robbery and theft. All arrested individuals have criminal records, with charges related to drugs, theft, and extortion.

Notably, Jibon Islam is identified as a leader of a local juvenile gang.

RAB-5 has announced that their operations will continue to capture other members of the gang.