Police Arrest Nearly 33,000 in Nationwide Crackdown

Bangladesh Police have arrested nearly 33,000 people during a nationwide special operation conducted over the past two and a half months as part of an intensified drive to maintain law and order, curb terrorism and extortion, recover illegal firearms, and bring absconding suspects to justice.

According to the latest figures released by Police Headquarters, a total of 32,908 individuals were arrested in the special operation carried out between 1 May and 12 July. During the same period, an additional 83,817 people were detained through routine policing activities and investigations linked to various criminal cases.

Police said the operations, which are continuing across the country, are intelligence-led and are being adjusted according to the security situation in different regions. Officials described the campaign as part of an ongoing effort to suppress organised crime, locate fugitives, dismantle criminal networks, and strengthen public safety.

The large-scale operation has also resulted in the recovery of a significant quantity of illegal weapons, ammunition, explosives, and locally manufactured arms believed to have been intended for use in criminal activities.

Authorities reported the seizure of 243 firearms, 2,313 rounds of bullets and cartridges, 88 magazines, 43 crude cocktail explosives, 2 kilograms of gunpowder, 503 locally made weapons, 18 firearm components, 17 pieces of equipment used for manufacturing weapons and bombs, and 10,300 chocolate bombs, a type of firework that can be misused for unlawful purposes.

Major Statistics from the Nationwide Operation

An analysis of the recovered firearms shows that pistols accounted for the largest share, with 76 seized during the operation. Police also recovered 50 shotguns, 33 locally made LG firearms, 30 shooter guns, 18 revolvers, 15 pipe guns, 12 air guns, four additional shotguns, two rifles, two submachine guns (SMGs), and one pen gun.

Officials said many of these weapons were believed to have been linked to criminal groups and posed a potential threat to public security. Their recovery, they added, has reduced the risk of violent offences involving illegal firearms.

Alongside the anti-crime campaign, law enforcement agencies also conducted extensive anti-narcotics operations, leading to the seizure of large quantities of illicit drugs.

During the reporting period, police recovered 7,640,276 yaba tablets, 8,284 packets of heroin, 3,186 bottles of phensedyl, 6,835 bottles of foreign liquor, 354 bottles of locally produced liquor, and 5,336 packets of cannabis.

As a result of these anti-drug operations, 14,157 narcotics cases were filed, while 20,439 people were arrested on charges related to drug offences.

Police officials stressed that the nationwide campaign is not solely focused on making arrests. They said the broader objective is to disrupt terrorist activities, combat extortion, reduce the circulation of illegal firearms, and curb the spread of narcotics while ensuring a safer environment for the public.

They also noted that identifying and apprehending long-absconding suspects remains a key priority, with intelligence gathering playing a central role in the ongoing operations.

According to Police Headquarters, the special drives are being conducted through coordinated efforts involving district police units, metropolitan police forces, range police, specialised units, and other law enforcement agencies. Authorities said intelligence-based operations would continue in areas where criminal activity remains a concern, reaffirming their commitment to maintaining public order and strengthening nationwide security through sustained enforcement efforts.