21 October, 2026 – KUSHTIA, Bangladesh: Four women returning home from a Durga Puja celebration were reportedly targeted by a gang of masked robbers who blocked a road with tree branches and snatched their gold ornaments in Mirpur upazila of Kushtia. In a separate incident on the same road, passengers travelling in a CNG-powered auto-rickshaw also reportedly had their smartphones snatched.
The incidents took place at around 10:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 20, near the Kalitala Bishinta field along the Kalitala-Bishinta Road in Chhatian Union, Mirpur upazila.
According to police and local residents, a gang of five to six armed robbers blocked the road by placing tree branches across it. Wearing masks and carrying locally made weapons, the suspects reportedly stopped vehicles, held passengers at knifepoint or at gunpoint, and snatched valuables, including mobile phones and cash.
During the incident, a young man travelling along the road on a motorcycle reportedly informed people waiting at a nearby intersection about the robbery. When local residents rushed to the scene, the suspects fled.
Ujjal Hossain, a member of Chhatian Union Parishad, told journalists that the robbers had blocked the road with tree branches. After receiving information about the incident, local residents rushed to the location, followed by police. However, the suspects had already escaped.
Local residents alleged that robberies and snatching incidents had occurred on the same road previously. They said the suspects used a similar tactic on Tuesday night to stop vehicles and rob passengers of gold ornaments, money, mobile phones, and other valuables.
Mirpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Shahidul Islam said the suspects had attempted to carry out a robbery by placing tree branches across the road. He added that they fled before police and local residents could reach the scene. Police would investigate the incident and take legal action.
No arrests were reported in connection with the incident in the available information.
