Ammunition Found at Ishwardi Site

Police in Ishwardi, Pabna district, have recovered 24 live rounds of rifle ammunition and an empty pistol magazine from workers’ living quarters at a construction site linked to the water-supply project serving the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant. The discovery, made during a late-night operation on Sunday, has reignited public anxiety in Pakshi and neighbouring areas, where residents report recurring incidents of armed intimidation and criminal rivalry around major industrial and commercial hubs.

According to police, the search was conducted at accommodation used by labourers employed by a subcontractor on the Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WASA) project supporting Rooppur. The operation followed reports of a gunshot heard inside one of the rooms. Officers later found 24 fresh rounds compatible with a modern rifle, along with an empty pistol magazine and paraphernalia suggesting narcotics consumption.

Pakshi police outpost inspector Md Monirul Islam confirmed that a case under the Arms Act is being prepared, naming Golam Kibria Shakil, a project manager with a WASA subcontractor, alongside unidentified accomplices. Shakil is a resident of Bangidanga village in Chartarapur Union, Pabna. Police said he had been overseeing field operations at the site and frequently received visitors from outside the project.

A labourer who witnessed events leading up to the raid, Md Mamun Hossain, told investigators that Shakil arrived at the room with two unknown men shortly before the sound of a gunshot was heard. The trio were then seen leaving the room in haste, allegedly carrying firearms. Police arrived soon afterwards and conducted a search, recovering the ammunition and magazine. No arrests were made at the scene.

Residents of Pakshi said the late-night gunshot caused panic, particularly as the area has experienced intermittent episodes of violence in recent months. Local people allege that rival political groups and criminal networks compete for influence over transport hubs, commercial centres around the Ishwardi Export Processing Zone, and land adjacent to large infrastructure projects. These disputes have reportedly involved intimidation, extortion, sporadic gunfire and retaliatory attacks, heightening concerns about public safety in what is otherwise a strategic industrial corridor.

Inspector Islam stated that, based on preliminary assessment of the seized items and the manner in which they were kept, the individuals involved were likely experienced in handling firearms. He stressed that the incident was not linked to the electoral process, despite public speculation given its proximity to pre-election tensions. Police believe the discharge may have occurred accidentally while the suspects were consuming narcotics. A wider operation is under way to locate the suspects, recover any remaining weapons and establish the provenance of the ammunition through forensic examination.

Local administration officials could not be reached for comment. Community leaders have urged tighter security around workers’ accommodation and greater coordination between contractors, project authorities and law enforcement to prevent criminal elements from exploiting large construction sites.

Key Details of the Incident

Authorities say further updates will follow once suspects are apprehended and forensic analysis of the ammunition is completed.