The Bangladesh Army has arrested 2,500 individuals and seized more than 6,000 illegal weapons in ongoing operations aimed at stabilising law enforcement across the country, following its recent granting of magistracy powers.
Colonel Intekhab Haider Khan, Colonel Staff of the Military Operations Directorate at Army Headquarters, provided the update in a press briefing held at the headquarters on Wednesday.
The briefing outlined the army's current activities since being deployed nationwide to assist in maintaining law and order under the Civil Defence Act.
Colonel Intekhab noted that the army has responded to over 600 incidents of unrest within the country’s garment sector, enabling nearly 2,089 factories to continue operations safely.
“During this time, the army has managed over 700 violent incidents — 141 of which involved educational institutions, 86 government offices, and 98 were politically related,” he added.
The army was given magistracy powers on September 17 to address instability across 62 districts.
Since then, the military has been actively supporting the interim government, led by Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus following the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina administration, to maintain order alongside other law enforcement agencies.
To fulfil this mandate, the army has focused on protecting lives and property, securing key infrastructure, assisting in the police's operational recovery, and safeguarding essential public and private institutions.
Steps are also being taken to foster communal harmony, secure diplomatic zones, and ensure the safety of foreign embassies.
Additionally, the army has been recovering illegal firearms and ammunition, including looted weapons, from various locations.
Colonel Intekhab highlighted additional efforts during Durga Puja, when the army set up 133 extra camps and deployed over 10,000 troops to ensure the peaceful observance of the festival.
He also confirmed that operations to maintain stability are ongoing in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and Cox’s Bazar regions.
Responding to journalists, Colonel Intekhab clarified: “The government has deployed the army to assist the civil administration, and the decision to continue the deployment will rest with the government.”
He added: “The law and order situation has improved, though some may feel progress is slower than expected. However, there has been no deterioration.”
Discussing the army’s activities under the “In Aid to Civil Power” framework, Col Khan addressed queries on whether there have been incidents of rights violations or extrajudicial actions.
He asserted that the army is “highly conscious” of upholding human rights, emphasizing that “preventing extrajudicial killings is a top priority” under strict guidance from top leadership.
He added that the army is committed to avoiding human rights violations and has actively worked to prevent incidents that could compromise public safety, which often go unreported.
Col Khan highlighted that in the industrial sector alone, more than 600 unrest incidents have occurred, many involving violence, especially at the onset. Collaborating with other law enforcement agencies, the army has, in many cases, contained situations that could otherwise have escalated significantly. He clarified that, while certain actions may be necessary due to situational demands, the army does not engage in targeted violence.
In response to a question regarding the absconding Major Ziaul Haq, dismissed over alleged militant links, Col Khan said that the army currently has no information about his whereabouts, but necessary actions would be taken if information arises.
Asked about the army’s role in managing traffic, Col Khan indicated that traffic control is primarily the responsibility of the police, although the army stands ready to assist if required. He emphasized the need for a permanent solution, involving multiple government agencies, to improve traffic management in the long term.
Regarding recent incidents of stolen weapons and ammunition, Col Khan assured that the SSF’s lost firearms were primarily pistols and are actively being traced. He also noted that several stolen police weapons have already been recovered, with further recovery efforts ongoing.
Although there may not be significant visible improvements, the overall law and order situation has stabilized compared to previous conditions, Col Khan said.
