Drug Control Officer Shot During Dhaka Operation

A senior officer of the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) was shot during an operation in Dhaka’s Jatrabari area on Monday, highlighting ongoing dangers faced by law enforcement officers tackling drug-related crime in the capital.

The injured officer, 41-year-old Siddiqur Rahman, who serves as an inspector in the Khilgaon region of the DNC, was targeted near the Sayedabad railway line at around 12:15 pm, according to DNC Inspector Md. Fazlul Haque Khan. Reports suggest that unidentified assailants opened fire on Rahman during an operation against suspected drug traffickers.

“During the operation, unknown gunmen fired at Inspector Siddiqur Rahman, hitting him in the left leg, and fled the scene immediately,” Md. Fazlul Haque Khan told Prothom Alo. “It appears the attack was a direct attempt by criminal elements to resist the enforcement action.”

Following the shooting, Inspector Rahman was swiftly transported to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) for emergency treatment. Officers at the hospital, including Inspector Faruk of the DMCH police outpost, confirmed that Rahman is currently receiving care in the emergency department. Authorities have stated that his condition is stable, but he remains under close medical supervision.

The incident has prompted the DNC to increase security measures for its field operations, as officers frequently confront armed resistance while carrying out anti-narcotics raids. Local law enforcement sources emphasised that coordinated attacks on DNC officers have been on the rise, underscoring the risks associated with tackling organised drug networks in Dhaka.

Incident Summary

Authorities are investigating the shooting, reviewing CCTV footage, and conducting searches in the area to identify the perpetrators. The DNC has also appealed to the public to provide any information that could lead to the arrest of those involved.

This attack serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by officials working on the frontlines of Bangladesh’s anti-drug operations, as the government intensifies efforts to curb narcotics trafficking in Dhaka and beyond.