Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) Commissioner Md Hasib Aziz has ordered police officers to open submachine gun (SMG) fire on sight if they encounter armed terrorists in the city.
The directive was issued orally through the police communication network on Tuesday afternoon.
In his radio message, Commissioner Aziz instructed field officers and patrol teams, saying, “No more shotguns, no China rifles — SMGs will now remain in brushfire mode.”
He further ordered patrol teams to carry shotguns, two gas guns, and 9mm pistols for team leaders to ensure readiness in any emergency situation.
The commissioner also announced that the number of permanent police checkpoints across the city would be increased from seven to 13 to strengthen security.
He assured officers that he would take full responsibility for any consequences arising from the new directive.
Contacted, Commissioner Hasib Aziz confirmed the order, saying, “Armed terrorists cannot be allowed to come from outside, shoot at residents, and leave unchallenged. That’s why I’ve directed police to use SMG brushfire on sight — but not against unarmed civilians. If someone doesn’t have a weapon, there’s no reason to use SMGs on them.”
Responding to questions about political organisations, the commissioner said, “The Chhatra League is a banned organization. Awami League activities are prohibited. If this banned extremist group takes to the streets to create chaos, they will be arrested, not shot. They’ll be tried under the Anti-Terrorism Act.”
He also referred to the killing of Sarowar Babla, an alleged local gangster, saying, “We previously arrested several suspects involved in Babla’s murder, but they didn’t stay in prison for long — they were released on bail after a few weeks.”
Tensions in Chattogram have been high following a recent wave of violence. Last Wednesday, gunfire erupted during a campaign rally of BNP candidate Ershad Ullah in the city’s Chawlitotoli area under Bayezid Bostami police station, injuring five people including Ullah.
One of them, Sarowar Hossain, described by police as a “terrorist,” later died. Police said Hossain had at least 15 criminal cases, including charges of extortion, murder, and illegal arms possession.
In a separate incident last Friday, a man named Md Akbar was stabbed to death in broad daylight in the Halishahar Maijpara area. Police confirmed he had prior narcotics-related cases.
Earlier on 27 October, a Chhatra Dal activist, Md Sajjad, 22, was shot dead in the city’s Baklia area following a dispute over campaign banners, leaving at least ten others injured.
Bd-pratidin English/ ANI
