Illegal arms stoke nationwide anxiety ahead of polls

With the 13th national parliamentary election just days away, the proliferation of illegal weapons is emerging as a major threat to the electoral environment. With only two days remaining before polling, campaigning by candidates from political parties and independents has reached a peak across constituencies nationwide. At the same time, rival supporters are attempting to assert influence in their respective areas through various means.

These rivalries have frequently escalated into violent clashes, with illegal firearms being used and fatal incidents reported. The situation has been further aggravated by an increase in cross-border smuggling of illegal weapons, heightening tension ahead of the vote. As a result, fear and uncertainty have spread among voters. In response, joint security forces have intensified operations nationwide since Saturday to bring the situation under control.

Crime analysts warn that illegal weapons remain one of the most serious concerns surrounding the election. Firearms looted from police stations and outposts could significantly undermine electoral security. They stress that swift recovery of these weapons is essential to restoring public confidence and ensuring a safe voting environment.

Ahead of the election, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam directed field-level police officials to intensify efforts to recover looted weapons. Several meetings have been held on the issue, with the most recent directive issued during the monthly crime review meeting at Police Headquarters on December 29.

Police sources say that even after 17 months, 1,331 firearms looted from police stations across the country remain unrecovered. Additionally, 257,144 rounds of ammunition are still missing, most of which are believed to be in the hands of criminals.

During the July mass movement, a total of 5,753 firearms were looted from police stations, outposts, and other installations, including 32 highly dangerous weapons belonging to the Special Security Force (SSF) taken from Ganabhaban. While law enforcement agencies have recovered most of the stolen arms through various operations, a significant number remain unaccounted for.

Following the killing of Inqilab Manch spokesperson Sharif Osman Bin Hadi in Paltan, Dhaka, Police Headquarters launched “Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2” nationwide. Under the operation, 725 firearms of different types have been recovered so far. Law enforcement agencies have also seized 25,419 rounds of bullets, 1,754 cartridges, 439 cocktails, and 82 bombs, while arresting 25,702 people.

In a recent operation, joint forces arrested Mehdi Hasan Dipu, an associate of top criminal Subrata Bain, from a house in Middle Badda in Dhaka. Eleven sophisticated foreign-made firearms and 394 rounds of ammunition were recovered during the raid. DMP Badda Zone Assistant Commissioner Asaduzzaman said a case was filed under the Arms Control Act, and the accused has been placed on five days’ remand as police investigate the source of the weapons.

Data from police, hospitals, and human rights organizations indicate a sharp rise in killings involving illegal firearms. Over a 13-month period from January 2025 to January this year, more than 300 people were shot in incidents of political violence, with over 100 fatalities reported.

Violence linked to illegal weapons was reported last Saturday in the Munshiganj Sadar and Gopalganj-2 constituencies. In Munshiganj-3, three people were shot during clashes between supporters of rival candidates. A day earlier, miscreants allegedly opened fire on independent candidate Md Sipon Bhuiyan in Gopalganj-2, triggering fear and anger among candidates and supporters.

In Khulna, a young man named Rakib Hossain was shot dead in public on Thursday night after being dragged out of a salon, amid ongoing election-related gatherings and heightened law enforcement activity across the city.

According to a report by Human Rights Support Society (HRSS), at least five people have been killed nationwide since the election schedule was announced due to party and intra-party conflicts. More than 970 people have been injured in election-related violence involving candidates, activists, and supporters.

The report documents 162 incidents of election violence, including significant casualties stemming from internal conflicts within the BNP and clashes between BNP and Jamaat, BNP and Awami League, BNP and NCP, and other parties. It also highlights incidents of harassment and injury involving women, with intelligence pointing to the involvement of multiple political groups.

Intelligence agencies report that illegal weapons are being smuggled into the country through various border routes ahead of the election and are being used for crimes including murder, robbery, extortion, land grabbing, and control over contracting.

Investigations in several areas of Dhaka, including Mirpur, Mohammadpur, and Jatrabari, indicate that juvenile gangs and criminal groups currently possess large numbers of firearms. Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury recently confirmed that weapons are entering the country through border routes, while law enforcement agencies continue efforts to recover looted arms.

Beyond the killing of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, more than 50 people have reportedly been killed by gunfire due to political rivalries in recent months, including high-profile incidents in Chattogram, Keraniganj, Cox’s Bazar, and other areas.

Intelligence reports suggest that unrecovered firearms have circulated among extremists, militants, and escaped convicts. Security officials say small arms smuggling has intensified, particularly in 27 border districts where around 700 facilitators are believed to be active. Pistols and revolvers are especially prevalent due to their ease of concealment and use.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has also stepped up operations, recently recovering 64 illegal firearms from border areas, along with more than 4,000 rounds of ammunition, hand bombs, grenades, and other explosives. In January alone, BGB seized pistols, grenades, magazines, mortar shells, and other weapons during border operations.

Crime expert Dr Touhidul Haque of the University of Dhaka said many firearms looted from police stations and smuggled across borders are now being used by criminals during the election period. He stressed that restoring order requires not only strong law enforcement action but also responsible conduct by candidates contesting the election.