Operating from overseas, fugitive crime boss Sazzad Ali, alias "Boro Sazzad," continues to control Chattogram's underworld. Police say his gang collects extortion money, enforces territorial control, and eliminates rivals on his orders through armed associates.

Sazzad's power once depended on two key deputies -- Sarwar Hossain Babla and Akbar Ali, also known as "Dhakaiya Akbar". About a decade ago, both men broke away to form their own gang. Within the last six months, they were shot dead in public -- reportedly on Sazzad's orders.

Last night, Sarwar was gunned down during an election campaign in the port city's Panchlaish area. Earlier, on May 23, Akbar Ali was killed in Patenga in a similar manner.

According to police sources, Sazzad's followers are desperate and often open fire publicly if extortion demands are not met. More than five lakh residents across areas under Chandgaon, Bayezid Bostami, Panchlaish, Hathazari, and Raozan police stations now live in fear of the gang.

Since August 5 last year, the group has been linked to 10 murders, including two double homicides. Members kill rivals to retain control and also work as hired assassins. Sazzad, now abroad, denies all allegations.

Police sources said Sazzad Ali, son of contractor Abdul Gani from Chalite­tali in Bayezid Bostami, first came to prominence after the murder of ward councillor Liaquat Ali Khan in June 1999. Though accused, he was acquitted due to a lack of witnesses.

In July 2000, six Chhatra League (now banned) activists were heading to a rally when armed men ambushed their microbus at Bahaddarhat. The armed men opened fire, killing eight on the spot. Sazzad was accused of leading the massacre. He was arrested later that year, with an AK-47 rifle in possession, and released on bail in 2004, after which he fled abroad.

He then formed a gang with Nur Nabi Maxon, Sarwar Hossain Babla, Akbar Ali, and "Chhoto Sazzad" [another person with the same name]. The group dominated Chattogram's underworld. Maxon later died mysteriously in India, while Sarwar split away to form his own faction.

"Chhoto Sazzad" took charge in 2015 and is now in jail, facing 17 cases. His wife is also in prison. After his arrest, Mohammad Raihan -- accused in 15 cases -- assumed leadership. Police say "Boro Sazzad" still issues orders over the phone from abroad.

Bayezid Bostami, on the edge of Chattogram city, has become a hotspot for conflicts over sand, cement, and brick businesses, alongside turf wars for extortion. Raozan and Hathazari have also become strongholds of the gang.

Slain Sarwar's brother Md Alamgir told The Daily Star, "My brother had business disputes with [Boro] Sazzad. He was in the sand and cement trade, but Sazzad opposed him. Sazzad had tried to kill him twice before but failed."

Dhakaiya Akbar, another rival, had publicly criticised "Chhoto Sazzad" and his wife on Facebook.

On September 18 last year, "Chhoto Sazzad" allegedly opened fire at a construction site in Oxygen-Kalarpool after not receiving extortion money. Police launched a manhunt following the incident. On December 4, police raided a flat in the Oxygen area, but "Chhoto Sazzad" fired at officers and escaped through the rooftop, injuring two policemen and a civilian.

CMP Commissioner Hasib Aziz later announced a Tk 5 lakh bounty for information on "Chhoto Sazzad". On March 15, he was captured at a Dhaka shopping mall after locals caught him and handed him over to police.

Mohammad Raihan, a close aide of "Chhoto Sazzad", has been accused in 15 cases since August last year, including seven murders. Police and victims' families allege he was directly involved in Sarwar's killing.

Raihan first met "Chhoto Sazzad" in jail during an attempted murder case. After both were released on bail, they joined forces to run the gang's operations. When Sazzad was rearrested, Raihan took control of the gang's weapons and extortion rackets.

Police say Raihan was behind several recent killings, including a double murder in March this year in Bakalia, where two men were shot dead after a car chase. Sarwar was the intended target but narrowly escaped at the time.

Despite several raids, police have yet to arrest Raihan. "Our investigation found Raihan and several members of his group involved. We have conducted multiple drives to arrest them, but they remain elusive," said Inspector (Investigation) Mozammel Haque of Bakalia Police Station.

CMP Commissioner Hasib Aziz added, "Sarwar had a criminal history and was likely the main target of the attack. Many of those behind the incident are already in jail, but there is clear instigation from abroad."