BRAC Bank Official Attacked in Sunamganj; Vault Keys Stolen, Operations Temporarily Suspended

Operations at the Sunamganj branch of BRAC Bank PLC were suspended for nearly three hours on Monday after a senior bank official was attacked and robbed of the keys to the bank’s main vault. The incident, which took place in broad daylight, has sparked serious concerns about employee safety and branch-level security protocols across the banking sector.

According to police and bank authorities, the assault occurred at approximately 10:45 a.m. near the Neja Plaza branch, located close to the main traffic point in Sunamganj town. The victim, Mohammad Belayet Hossain, who serves as Cash In-charge, was ambushed while entering the bank premises.

During the attack, the assailants stabbed Belayet, seizing his mobile phone, wallet, and vault keys before fleeing the scene. Local residents who witnessed the assault intervened immediately, rescuing the injured bank official and transporting him to Sunamganj Sadar Hospital for treatment.

Background of the Dispute

Investigations suggest that the attack stemmed from a confrontation that occurred the previous afternoon. At around 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, a customer identified as Omar Ghani reportedly attempted to bypass the queue to deposit Tk 80,000 into his wife’s account. When other customers protested, a heated argument ensued.

Belayet Hossain intervened to maintain order, resulting in a verbal clash with Ghani. Branch Manager Shahidul Islam later mediated between the two parties, and the dispute appeared to have been settled amicably by the end of the day. However, on Monday morning, Ghani allegedly returned with several accomplices and attacked the bank official outside the branch.

Operational Disruption

Following the incident, BRAC Bank authorities temporarily suspended operations from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to ensure security and verify that the stolen vault keys posed no immediate risk to customer deposits or internal assets.

Branch Manager Shahidul Islam confirmed that the situation was quickly brought under control after police intervention. “The attackers took the vault keys and some personal belongings, forcing us to halt operations temporarily as a precaution,” he said.

Police Investigation Underway

Mohammad Abul Kalam, Officer-in-Charge of Sunamganj Sadar Model Police Station, confirmed that a formal case had been filed against Omar Ghani and several unnamed individuals. “We have recovered initial evidence from the scene and are conducting a manhunt to apprehend the suspects. The safety of the bank and its staff is our immediate priority,” he stated.

Attempts to contact the accused, Omar Ghani, were unsuccessful, as his mobile phone remained switched off. Police said efforts were ongoing to locate the stolen vault keys and determine whether the attack was premeditated.

The incident has prompted renewed calls for enhanced security measures at bank branches, including better surveillance systems, stricter access controls, and immediate coordination between law enforcement and financial institutions in emergencies.