“Bags full of weapons recovered from the area adjacent to a polling station in Chandina.”

In a significant security operation, the Bangladesh Army recovered a large cache of locally made weapons near a polling station in Chandina, Comilla, raising concerns over potential election-day violence. The discovery was made on Thursday morning, 12 February, at approximately 11:00 am, adjacent to the Harang High School polling centre in Ward 2 of the Chandina Upazila headquarters.

The recovered cache included a variety of dangerous implements, indicating the potential for organised disruption. The army reported that the weapons were deliberately positioned to intimidate voters and obstruct the democratic process. According to the Chandina Army Camp, the operation was carried out following a tip-off from confidential sources. Upon arrival at the scene, personnel found the weapons abandoned, suggesting that those responsible had fled prior to the army’s arrival.

The recovered items are detailed in the table below:

A press release from the Chandina Army Camp emphasised the seriousness of the incident. “These weapons, if used, could generate fear among the local population and disrupt the free and fair conduct of the election,” the statement read. The army affirmed its commitment to ensuring a peaceful, orderly, and violence-free election in the region.

Chandina police have also been involved in the aftermath. Officer-in-Charge Md. Atikur Rahman noted that the seized weapons have not yet been formally deposited at the police station. “Once the items are brought to the station, they will be examined, and legal action will be initiated as per the findings of the investigation,” he said.

This seizure highlights ongoing security challenges in the region ahead of the national elections. Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. Security forces, including the army and police, are stepping up measures across polling centres to prevent similar threats and safeguard the democratic process.

The incident serves as a reminder of the delicate nature of electoral security in Bangladesh, underscoring the need for coordinated efforts between the military, police, and local authorities to ensure that voters can exercise their rights without fear or hindrance.