Satellite, Syndicates, and Seizures: Army Captures Subrata Bain in Kushtia Raid
Two of Bangladesh’s most wanted criminals—Subrata Bain alias Fateh Ali and Abu Rasel Masud alias Molla Masud—both subjects of Interpol Red Notices, have been arrested in a high-profile army-led operation. The duo was apprehended along with two accomplices on Tuesday (May 27) from a student dormitory on Sonar Bangla Road in the Kalishankarpur area of Kushtia city. The operation, now a trending national topic, has also raised significant security concerns over their use of satellite communication devices.
During a press conference held at the military cantonment, ISPR Director Lieutenant Colonel Sami-Ud-Doula Chowdhury revealed that the operation began at 5:00 am and was simultaneously carried out in Kushtia and Hatirjheel, based on secret intelligence. It was conducted by a unit of the 46 Independent Infantry Brigade. The arrested individuals include the two notorious gang leaders and two shooters identified as Arafat and Sharif.
The forces seized five foreign pistols, ten magazines, 53 rounds of ammunition, and a satellite phone during the operation. The presence of a satellite phone has triggered fresh concerns in security circles about advanced communication tools being employed by criminal networks.
Coinciding with the recent launch of commercial services by satellite internet provider Starlink in Bangladesh on May 20, the discovery has intensified scrutiny over the unregulated use of satellite technology. Despite existing NGSO (Non-Geostationary Satellite Orbit) guidelines that mandate at least one gateway within Bangladesh to legally provide internet services, Starlink has yet to establish any gateway or ground station in the country.
Security analysts are questioning how such services can operate without local infrastructure while law enforcement struggles to maintain national security. In a letter to BTRC, the National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre (NTMC), under the Ministry of Home Affairs' Public Security Division, emphasized that Starlink's services must be restricted to gateways established within Bangladesh to ensure national oversight.
Despite the technological advantage, intelligence efforts proved decisive in capturing the two key figures of the infamous Seven Star syndicate. The operation received strategic coordination and support from the Military Operations Directorate at Army Headquarters, 55 Infantry Division, 14 Independent Engineer Brigade, 71 Mechanized Brigade, and the National Security Intelligence (NSI).
Addressing the press, the ISPR Director urged citizens, “Through you, I want to appeal to the people of the country—please report any suspicious activities or terror-related information to the nearest army camp or law enforcement agency. Once again, we reaffirm, as per the clear directives of the Army Chief, the Bangladesh Army is fully prepared and committed to safeguarding the nation’s internal security and the lives and property of its people. The Bangladesh Army will always remain by the side of its citizens.”
