The incident took place on a launch, ML Shah Ali-4, at around 10:45pm on Monday. Around 18 robbers took the launch master (captain of the boat) hostage at gunpoint and looted cash, gold ornaments and other valuables from more than 50 passengers. The robbers took away his mobile phone. Following the incident, Billal Hossain, a person suspected to be part of the robber gang, was detained by the launch passengers and later handed over to police. Speaking to Dhaka Tribune, Helal Uddin, the launch master, said: “Our launch ML Shah Ali-4 departed from the Sureshwar launch terminal in Shariatpur district for Chandpur around 8am on Monday.

Source: Dhaka Tribune December 21, 2020 14:15 UTC