Rapid Action Battalion today arrested Abul Kashem alias Hashu, the alleged ‘ringleader’ of the Hashu-Kashu Bahini, an organised criminal gang at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar of Dhaka.

Based on intelligence that Hashu holed up at a place at Taltola area, a team of Rab-4 conducted a raid and arrested him, said Rab-4 SP Naresh Chakma who led the drive.

Rab also recovered a firearm and some contraband Yaba pills from his possession, he said.

Hashu is a notorious criminal and committing crimes like extortion, land grabbing, abduction and killing were his regular task in Mirpur, Agargaon and its adjoining area, the Rab official said.

Alongside these, he used to extort money from industrialists, contactors, businessmen even from the jobholders on regular basis, the official said adding Hasu sued to run a drug racket also.

He is accused in at least 12 criminal cases lodged with different police stations, the Rab official said.