Fears are rising in Bangladesh over the large quantities of arms and ammunition looted from law enforcement agencies amid the recent political upheaval. Concerned authorities are particularly anxious about these weapons have fallen into the hands of militants who escaped during the chaos, potentially escalating violence and crime across the country.
The concerns come after reports that weapons and ammunition were stolen from police stations and prisons, with detectives believing they are now in the possession of escaped militants. This situation has alarmed both the general public and law enforcement agencies, who are wary of the increased threat posed by these lost arms.
Former Inspector General (IGP) of Police Noor Mohammad told Bangladesh Pratidin that the immediate priority should be to restore normal operations at police stations, as this is crucial for returning public life to normalcy. "Once this is achieved, the police can focus on recovering the stolen weapons," he said. Former IGP emphasized that the police, with their extensive intelligence network, are the only force capable of recovering the lost weapons.
The scale of the attacks on law enforcement has been staggering. As of the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government, 450 police stations and 70 police installations were targeted. Reports indicate that hundreds of police officers were killed, and thousands more injured. Additionally, thousands of weapons and large quantities of ammunition were looted. These attacks were sparked by public outrage over the killing of protesting students and civilians by police forces, which culminated in demands for Sheikh Hasina's resignation.
Senior police officers, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed confidence in the police's ability to recover the lost weapons swiftly. They noted that no other force has the same level of information about local criminals as the police. However, they also acknowledged that the exact number of stolen weapons and ammunition is still being assessed, as data collection continues.
These officers also stressed the importance of keeping the police force free from political manipulation to ensure effective law enforcement. "The government may need to reconsider its approach if necessary," they suggested.
In a recent development, a team from the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB-11) recovered some of the weapons looted from the Siddhirganj police station. The operation, conducted on August 5 based on secret information, led to the recovery of various firearms, including a China rifle with a broken butt, a Cjet pistol, and several rounds of ammunition, among other items.
Meanwhile, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) issued a statement urging anyone in possession of looted weapons or with information about them to contact the nearest army camp immediately.
Lt. Colonel Md Munim Ferdous, director and spokesperson for the RAB's legal and media wing, confirmed that operations to recover the looted weapons have already begun across the country. He assured the public that informants would remain anonymous.
The scale of the prison breakouts during the unrest has also been significant. On July 19, Narsingdi District Jail was attacked, leading to the escape of 826 prisoners, including nine militants. The attackers looted 66 rifles, 19 shotguns, and 8,150 rounds of ammunition, though 50 rifles have since been recovered. Similar incidents occurred at Sherpur jail, where 518 prisoners escaped and several weapons were looted, and at Satkhira District Jail, where 596 prisoners fled, though 452 have since returned. Kashimpur High Security Central Jail also saw 209 prisoners escape.
Colonel Sujaur Rahman, Additional Inspector General of Jail Headquarters, stated that the army has been requested to assist in recovering the looted weapons. He noted that the presence of army personnel in several prisons, including those in Chattogram, Rajshahi, and Gazipur, helped prevent major incidents.
The Ansar force also suffered casualties during the unrest, with three members losing their lives between July 1 and August 5. Additionally, two Ansar members were killed in a clash with police at Jatrabari police station on August 5.
Dr. Touhidul Haque, Associate Professor at the Social Welfare and Research Institute of Dhaka University, emphasized the urgent need to recover the lost weapons. He warned that these firearms pose a significant threat to societal stability and suggested that joint operations might be necessary to retrieve them. He also highlighted the importance of restoring the police force to full operational capacity.
(The report was published on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on August 12 and rewritten in English by Tanvir Raihan)
