Four individuals arrested in the high-profile murder case of BNP activist Abul Hashem in Feni’s Sonagazi upazila have confessed to their involvement before a court under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

The accused include two named in the original FIR — Akhtar Hossain (accused no. 1) and Rakibul Islam (accused no. 11) — as well as two others identified during the investigation: Belayet Hossain Mamun and Soleman.

Sub-Inspector Kazi Hasan Uddin, the investigation officer of the case, presented the suspects before the Feni court. Their confessional statements were recorded on Thursday afternoon by Senior Judicial Magistrates Fatema Tuz Johra Muna and Aparajita Das.

In their statements, the accused admitted that the murder was premeditated and driven by previous enmity. They cited a chain of violent incidents — including the earlier murder of a man named Belal and the maiming of local union member Sufian — which led to a deep-seated grudge. They also alleged that Hashem had been issuing repeated threats against them, prompting them to plan the attack.

On the day of the murder, the suspects — some wearing burqas and others wearing masks — armed themselves with machetes, iron rods, and sticks. Around 3:30 AM, they gathered behind the Sajeda Foundation near the crime scene.

A total of 10 individuals were involved in the attack. Soleman, who lived in the area, guided the group to the location via fields and village paths to avoid being seen. He later monitored Hashem’s movements from Olama Bazar and informed Akhtar once the target was nearby.

At approximately 5:50 AM, as Hashem passed through the area, the attackers ambushed him. Using a rope to stop his movement, they proceeded to beat him with rods and sticks and hacked him with machetes, leaving him critically injured before fleeing the scene.

Following the confession, the court ordered the accused to be sent to jail.

It may be recalled that on Tuesday morning, several burqa-clad individuals launched a brutal attack on Hashem in the Olama Bazar area, severing his limbs in the process. Locals rescued him in critical condition and took him to the upazila health complex. After initial treatment, he was transferred to Feni General Hospital for advanced care.