Dhaka, Nov. 9 -- In a strange yet cunning new twist to street crime, a gang locally known as the 'Salam Party' has been carrying out a series of mugging around the Rajarbagh Police Lines area-right under the nose of law enforcement agencies.

Their technique is as deceptive as it is simple. One member of the gang first greets a target-usually someone walking on the footpath or traveling in a rickshaw-with a friendly 'Salam'. When the unsuspecting victim looks their way, the stranger smiles and says, "Bhai, you don't recognise me? I'm [so-and-so]!"

That is when things take a dangerous turn.

On Sunday around noon, the gang struck again.

Ridwan, a private service holder, was traveling from Fakirerpool toward Malibagh crossing via Shahjaha...