Rifle Ammunition Seized in Ishwardi

Police in Ishwardi, Pabna, have recovered 24 rounds of live ammunition for a modern rifle and an empty pistol magazine during a late-night operation at a residential facility linked to the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project. The raid, conducted on Sunday (8 February), has prompted renewed concerns about security in the vicinity of one of Bangladesh’s most strategically significant infrastructure developments.

According to police officials, the ammunition and magazine were seized from a workers’ dormitory at a water supply project being constructed by the public utility authority in support of the Rooppur plant. The dormitory housed employees of a subcontracting firm engaged in the project. The operation was carried out following specific intelligence suggesting the presence of illegal firearms-related materials on the premises.

Inspector Md Monirul Islam of Pakshi Police Outpost confirmed that legal proceedings are under way to file a case under the Arms Act. The case is expected to name Golam Kibria Shakil, project manager of the subcontracting firm, along with several unidentified individuals. Shakil is reportedly a resident of Bangidanga village in the Chartarapur ইউনিয়ন of Pabna district.

A worker at the site, Md Mamun Hossain, stated that Shakil frequently received visitors from outside the project. On the night in question, he allegedly entered his room accompanied by two unidentified men. Shortly thereafter, workers reported hearing gunshots from inside the room. The men were then seen leaving the premises in haste. Police later searched the room and recovered the ammunition and magazine.

Details of the seized items are as follows:

Inspector Islam stated that preliminary findings do not suggest any direct link between the incident and the forthcoming national elections. However, he noted that the recovered evidence indicates possible involvement of individuals accustomed to handling illegal firearms. He added that there were indications of yaba consumption at the scene and suggested that the discharge may have occurred while the suspects were under the influence of narcotics.

Local residents reported widespread alarm after gunshots were heard in the residential area of Pakshi, particularly given heightened political tensions ahead of elections. The region has previously witnessed sporadic clashes, alleged extortion, land disputes, and displays of firearms, often attributed to factional rivalries within local political groups. The economic importance of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant and the Ishwardi Export Processing Zone has intensified competition for influence in the area, residents claim.

Police have stated that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the suspects and to determine whether additional firearms are involved. Authorities also indicated that security measures around critical infrastructure sites would be reviewed and, if necessary, reinforced.

Repeated attempts to obtain a statement from Ishwardi উপজেলা নির্বাহী কর্মকর্তা and Assistant Returning Officer Md Ariful Islam were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.

The incident has raised fresh questions about oversight and security screening at project-linked residential facilities, particularly those associated with nationally significant installations. Investigations remain ongoing.