Shots fired at Mohammadpur restaurant and pharmacy after extortion demand refused; no one hurt
Three rounds of shots were allegedly fired at a restaurant and pharmacy named 'Anurag' in the capital's Mohammadpur after an extortion demand was refused. The incident took place around midnight on Friday, opposite the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases and Hospital.
A group of criminals who arrived on motorcycles opened fire and fled quickly. The glass at the front of the pharmacy was shattered, but no one was injured.
The owner of the restaurant and pharmacy, Syed Hasan Nur Islam, is a former councillor of Ward 32 of the banned Awami League. He alleged that on 5 November he received a phone call demanding extortion money in the name of Mohammadpur's top-listed criminal 'Killer Pappu'.
He said he was also threatened that his house would be set on fire if he did not pay. A crude bomb had also been exploded targeting his establishment earlier.
CCTV footage shows two helmeted men arriving in front of the restaurant and pharmacy at midnight, firing several rounds and fleeing. Several others were waiting nearby with motorcycles at the time.
Locals said crude bombs had been exploded in the area on two previous occasions as well.
Mohammadpur police station sub-inspector (SI) Mohammad Sharif said unidentified men came, fired shots and fled. Efforts are under way to identify them from CCTV footage of the scene.
Another SI of the station, Zahidul Islam Kabir, said the victims have not yet filed a written complaint in this incident. Legal action will be taken once a complaint is received.
