Govt forms special unit to recover looted, illegal firearms

Image- Collected

The government has intensified its nationwide campaign to recover looted and illegal firearms by forming a special unit in coordination with various intelligence agencies, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said on Saturday.

Speaking to reporters after the quarterly crime review conference for April-June 2026 at the Bangladesh Police Auditorium in Rajarbagh, the minister said coordinated operations were underway to locate illegal weapons and prevent their trafficking.

The newly formed unit will also work with intelligence agencies to strengthen efforts against illegal arms, drug trafficking, smuggling and extortion.

The government has announced financial rewards for information leading to the recovery of looted or illegal weapons. Informants can receive up to Tk2 lakh for information resulting in the recovery of heavy weapons and up to Tk50,000 for pistols, revolvers or shotguns.

Rewards of Tk10,000 to Tk20,000 will also be offered for information leading to the recovery of sound grenades, looted tear-gas shells and other stolen weapons. The minister assured that informants' identities would remain confidential.

Salahuddin said firearms whose licences had been cancelled but were not surrendered within the specified deadline had already been classified as illegal, with cases filed against their holders. Operations to recover those weapons are continuing.

He also warned that police officials who fail to take effective action against terrorism, extortion and drug trafficking within the given deadlines could face legal and administrative action.

The minister said the government is carrying out coordinated operations nationwide to strengthen law and order and make the police force more responsive to public concerns.

Inspector General of Police Md Ali Hossain Fakir chaired the conference, which was attended by senior police officials, including divisional DIGs, metropolitan police commissioners and district superintendents of police.