Armed Attack on River Police in Padma Operation, Five Officers Shot

An armed attack on members of the river police took place during an operation against illegal sand extraction in the Padma River, leaving five officers injured, including a police inspector, according to official and local sources.

The incident occurred on Tuesday night in the area of the Padma River, adjacent to Haripur under Kushtia Sadar Upazila, which borders Ishwardi Upazila in Pabna district. Police said the team from the Lakshmikunda river police outpost had launched an operation following intelligence reports of illegal sand extraction using excavators.

According to police accounts, officers reached the site at around 10:30 pm local time and came under sudden fire from armed assailants believed to be involved in the sand extraction activities. The attackers reportedly used shotguns, prompting the police to return fire. A brief exchange of gunfire followed.

Five members of the police team were injured in the confrontation. The injured officers are Inspector Khondaker Shafiqul Islam, and members Enamul Haque, Shahinur Haque, Nazmul Hasan, and Manik Mia, all serving at the Lakshmikunda river police outpost.

Following the incident, the injured officers were initially taken to Pabna General Hospital for treatment. Due to the severity of Enamul Haque’s condition, he was later transferred to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, where he is currently undergoing specialised care, including treatment at the eye unit after sustaining injuries affecting his eye and other parts of the body.

The police superintendent of the Rajshahi region confirmed the incident to the media, stating that legal measures were being initiated in connection with the attack and that one of the injured officers remained under treatment at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital.

Officials also confirmed that additional police personnel have been deployed in the area following the incident. An investigation is ongoing, and operations are being conducted to identify and apprehend those involved in the attack.

The confrontation underscores ongoing enforcement efforts in riverine regions of Bangladesh, where illegal sand extraction has frequently been linked to organised groups operating with heavy equipment along major riverbeds such as the Padma River.