Litu, 42, was returning to Khulna from Dhaka by a rented car while a team of Rab and DB intercepted him at Noapara at about 4.30 am. Sources said he was found stoned while police made the arrest.

He allegedly masterminded the killing of Jessore Bureau Chief of Dainik Janakantha Shamsur Rahman on July 16 in 2000 at the latter's office on Hospital Road. He is one of the 17 chargesheeted accused in the Shamsur Rahman murder case and had been on the run since the murder.

Litu, who was shot in the back reportedly trying to escape during a search for arms on his arrest, ended up with further injury during interrogation by the detective branch. Two arms were recovered during the drive.

According to Officer-in-Charge KM Abdullah at Abhoynagar Police Station, four of Litu's associates have also been arrested from the car at Noapara. They are AL leader and former ward commissioner of Noapara Pourasava Abdul Wadud, BNP leader Rabiul Islam, Chatradal activist Kauser Ahmed Koushik and fertiliser dealer Jahangier Alam.

Repeated drives by Rab and police in last couple of months failed to nab him because some quarters from inside the law enforcing authorities reportedly leaked information to him.

Litu, who had been elected Khulna City Corporation commissioner thrice from ward No. 24, stands accused in five murder cases and 13 other criminal cases lodged with different police stations of Khulna city and district. He is also the prime accused in the murders of BNP leader and former deputy mayor of KCC Iktiaruddin Bablu and Havilder Akram Hossain.

Sources said he maintained close links both with the law enforcers and political leaders. He had long been evading capture thanks to the links.

Police said he has huge arms and ammunition in his possession. With a large number of henchmen he established a stranglehold over Khulna, Bagerhat and Satkhira districts. He amassed a lot of fortune by extorting money from the local shrimp farms. Besides, he had been involved in drug and arms trading and abductions.

Litu planned and financed the killing of journalist Shamsur Rahman after he wrote a series of reports against Litu and his organised crime gang, say the charge sheets.

The first charge sheet was submitted to a Jessore court in April, 2001 while the supplementary charge sheet in December last year.

Litu rotated around almost all the main political parties of the country. He joined Jatiya Party in 1988, BNP in 1994, Awami League in 1997 and again BNP in the year 2002.