The Masterminds of Torture and Extrajudicial Killings in Rajshahi was Three Top RAB Officers.

During the Awami League government three high-ranking officers from the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and the police became infamous for their roles in suppressing opposition political leaders and activists in Rajshahi. These officers—Lt. Col. Anwar Latif Khan the then commander of RAB-5 RMP Commissioner DIG SM Monir-uz-Zaman and DIG Md. Shamsuddin—are accused of orchestrating some of the most brutal acts of violence against opposition members.

Between 2013 and 2016, during their time in charge, at least 11 political leaders and activists were killed by RAB and police, many in staged “gunfights” or “crossfire” incidents. These killings often followed brutal torture, and the bodies of the victims were then presented as though they had died in violent confrontations. Many others were severely injured or disabled. The allegations paint a harrowing picture of a system of extrajudicial killings carried out in the name of law and order.

Colonel Anwar Latif Khan: The Mastermind

Among these officers, Colonel Anwar Latif Khan stands out as a key figure. After serving as the commander of RAB-5, he was promoted to Additional Director General of RAB. His role in overseeing and allegedly masterminding the extrajudicial killings has led to his inclusion on the US sanctions list. Despite his retirement, there is ongoing pressure for justice. Efforts are now underway to bring these officers to trial at the International Crimes Tribunal, with the victims’ families preparing to file cases against them.

The Tragic Case of Shahadat Hossain

One of the most tragic cases involves Shahadat Hossain, a young Chhatra Shibir activist, who was arrested by RAB in Dhaka in 2013. Shahadat was tortured brutally—his limbs were broken, he was blindfolded, and then, on the night of May 12, he was shot dead in a staged “gunfight” at the Betar field in Binodpur, Rajshahi. His family was later called to collect his body.

For his widow, Rina Khatun, the loss was devastating. “I lost my husband just a few years after our marriage. And my 4-and-a-half-year-old child lost his father forever,” she said. Shahadat’s brother, Hasanul Banna, described the horrific scene when the family arrived to claim his body. “We found Shahadat’s bloodied body lying under a mango tree. RAB officers stood nearby, weapons in hand, and plainclothes detectives were also present. It was clear that they had tortured him before killing him.”

Rina Khatun recounted the brutality her husband endured. “RAB broke the bones of his elbows, leaving his hands hanging by the flesh. His legs were crushed, and his head had wounds from a gun butt. They tied his hands and blindfolded him, then brought him to the field and staged his murder as a gunfight. I want justice—for my husband, for my child, and for everyone else who lost their loved ones in this violence.”

The Death of Nurul Islam Shaheen

Another victim was Nurul Islam Shaheen, a 45-year-old teacher at Binodpur Islamia College and a Jamaat activist. On January 27, 2013, Shaheen was arrested by the DB police from his business, Padma Offset Press. The next day, his bullet-riddled body was found in Ashraf intersection in Nalkhola, Rajshahi city. His wife, Masuma Akhtar, recalled the night of his arrest. “The police took him in plain clothes at around 9 p.m., but he was never presented in court. The next day, we found his body, shot and lifeless.”

Shaheen’s younger brother, Dr. Fazlul Haque Tuhin, accused the police and RAB of fabricating their story. “They always tell the same lies about ‘gunfights’ after they arrest someone and kill them. No one believes their story anymore,” he said. Tuhin believes his brother was killed because of his social work and business involvement, which may have made him a potential political opponent in the future. “I believe the then City Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, with the help of RMP Commissioner Shamsuddin and some DB police officers, ordered his death. We are preparing to file a case against them at the International Crimes Tribunal.”

Seeking Justice for Victims

The families of Shahadat Hossain, Nurul Islam Shaheen, and many others who suffered under the reign of these officers are determined to seek justice. They are preparing to take their cases to the International Crimes Tribunal, hoping to hold those responsible for the extrajudicial killings and human rights violations accountable for their actions.

These personal stories of loss and grief underscore the need for accountability. The pursuit of justice is not just about bringing perpetrators to trial; it’s about honoring the memories of those who were brutally taken from their families and ensuring such abuses are never repeated.

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