In recent months, Narayanganj has witnessed a troubling escalation in violent attacks targeting members of law enforcement agencies during routine operations, including anti-narcotics drives, arrest warrants, and general patrol duties. Police and members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have repeatedly come under assault, often by organised groups wielding sharp weapons and firearms.
Over the past nine months alone, at least 40 officers have been reported injured in such incidents. Authorities also note cases of stolen service weapons and the forcible snatching of detained suspects, raising growing concerns over public safety and operational effectiveness.
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Pattern of recent incidents
One of the most serious recent episodes occurred on 5 May in the Masdair Boyalia canal area of Fatullah, where an intelligence-gathering team from Rapid Action Battalion-11 came under attack. According to RAB officials, a group of armed local assailants suddenly launched an assault using sharp weapons.
Three officers, including Sub-Inspector Nazibul and constables Mahi and Ibrahim, were injured. Nazibul sustained critical injuries and was transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. In retaliation, RAB recovered a cache of weapons and narcotics, including bullets, knives, machetes, Chinese axes, cannabis, and yaba tablets, and detained 13 individuals.
On the same day, a separate violent clash took place in the Chanpara Rehabilitation Centre in Rupganj, where police attempted to arrest a warrant-listed suspect, Shamim Mia. Officers were reportedly encircled and attacked by a group of locals. Seven police personnel, including the officer-in-charge of Rupganj Police Station, were injured, and official communication devices were seized. The suspect later escaped, although a joint operation led to the detention of 12 individuals, including his wife.
Further unrest was reported on 6 May in the Deovog Hashembag area of Fatullah, where three suspects detained in a robbery case were forcibly freed by an armed group while being transported to the police station. One officer was injured during the incident.
Summary of key incidents
| Date | Location | Incident | Injuries | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 May | Fatullah, Narayanganj | Attack on RAB-11 team | 3 officers injured | 13 arrested, weapons seized |
| 5 May | Chanpara, Rupganj | Clash during arrest attempt | 7 officers injured | Suspect escaped, later arrests made |
| 6 May | Fatullah | Police ambushed, suspects snatched | 1 officer injured | Suspects escaped |
| 30 Apr | Bandar area | Attack during robbery probe | 2 officers injured | One firearm later recovered |
| 15 Mar | Ukilpara, city area | Assault during drug raid | 2 officers injured | 2 arrests made |
| 9 Mar | Nitaiganj | Service pistol snatched | 1 officer injured | Weapon later recovered |
Expanding zones of concern
Officials have identified several hotspots, including the Gymkhana slum in the city and the Chanpara slum in Rupganj, as recurring centres of resistance during police operations. Officers report repeated ambushes and organised attacks in these areas, particularly during narcotics and arrest operations.
Incidents have also extended beyond urban centres. In February, at Araihazar, police were reportedly held hostage for nearly an hour while attempting to arrest a female suspect, leaving six officers injured. Similar attacks were recorded in previous months in Sonargaon and other sub-districts, where suspects were forcibly taken from custody and police vehicles vandalised.
Security concerns and institutional strain
Law enforcement officials argue that many of these attacks are intended to create intimidation, enabling criminal groups to assert influence over local areas. Senior officers from the Police Bureau of Investigation in Narayanganj suggest that such organised resistance is undermining anti-crime operations and discouraging public cooperation.
Concerns have also been raised internally regarding morale and operational hesitation. Senior district police officials have indicated that officers are increasingly reluctant to use authorised force, even in self-defence situations, citing procedural uncertainty and declining morale in the aftermath of recent political developments.
Authorities acknowledge that restoring confidence among field officers and strengthening operational protocols will be essential to addressing the rising trend of violent resistance against law enforcement operations in the region.