Bangladeshi National's Failed Robbery Plot Exposes Cross-Border Escape Network

Mohammad Shariful Islam Shahzad Fakir, the Bangladeshi national arrested in connection of stabbing actor Saif Ali Khan, has made significant revelations during his interrogation with Mumbai Police. According to police sources, Shahzad disclosed that after committing a robbery, he had planned to escape to Bangladesh via Karnataka.

Shahzad revealed that on the night of January 15-16, he had already decided to flee Mumbai on January 16, using stolen money to fund his escape. He intended to pay Rs 60,000 to an agent who would help him cross the border into Bangladesh. However, due to the failed robbery attempt and the fear of being caught, Shahzad fled Saif’s residence without any stolen money, thwarting his escape plan.

After fleeing the scene, Shahzad attempted to arrange funds for his journey back to Bangladesh but failed. These revelations have put agents involved in facilitating illegal border crossings on Mumbai Police’s radar, and efforts are underway to track them down.

Agent Network Behind the Escape Plan
During questioning, Shahzad revealed that agents demanded Rs 60,000 for arranging his escape to Bangladesh. As per the plan, a network of agents was to help him travel from Mumbai to Moolky in Karnataka, and then to Barisal Sadar in Bangladesh, which is approximately 2,409 km away. Shahzad, a native of Barisal Sadar, explained that an agent in Mumbai would arrange his transport to Moolky. From there, another agent would help him reach Andhra Pradesh, followed by a third agent who would guide him to Odisha.

A fourth agent was responsible for escorting him from Odisha to West Bengal, while a fifth agent in West Bengal would help him cross the border into Bangladesh. The distance from West Bengal to Barisal Sadar is approximately 325 km. Shahzad also disclosed that he had entered India illegally last year via the Dawki River, citing political instability and unemployment in his home country.

Police Record Statement of Kolkata Citizen
As part of their investigation, Mumbai Police recorded the statement of Kolkata resident Kukumoni Jahangir Sheikh, whose documents Shahzad used to acquire a SIM card in West Bengal. The same SIM card was later used in Mumbai. According to sources, Sheikh stated that he was unaware of who used his documents to purchase the SIM but provided details of where he had submitted his documents.​