Fear of covert attacks and illegal weapons ahead of the election

A spate of covert attacks, shootings, explosions, mob violence, and the use of illegal firearms has sparked widespread concern over election-related security across Bangladesh. The first week of the new year alone saw at least four fatalities caused by gunfire. Incidents during electoral campaigns have compounded fears, raising questions about the country’s law and order situation as the national parliamentary elections approach.

On Wednesday night, a leader of a volunteer political organisation was shot dead near Tejturi Bazar, close to Dhaka’s bustling Farmgate and Karwan Bazar areas. The following day, in Gazipur, an NCP activist narrowly escaped after assailants fired at him and stole his motorcycle. Earlier that morning, two young men died in an explosion in a house in Shariatpur’s Jajira area. Police indicated that the blast occurred while making homemade explosives, and investigations are ongoing into whether these devices were intended for election-related attacks.

In late December, a severe explosion in a residential building in South Keraniganj caused extensive damage to two rooms. Authorities recovered explosive materials and bombs, arresting several suspects who allegedly used the premises under the guise of a madrasa.

Mob violence has further eroded public confidence in security. On 31 December, lawyer Naeem Kibria was brutally killed in Dhaka’s Bashundhara residential area after a vehicular incident escalated into a mob attack. The same day, in Shariatpur’s Damudya, businessman Khokon Chandra Das was murdered. Previous incidents include the killing of Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh in December and the death of a seven-year-old girl in Laxmipur following an arson attack on her home.

The use of illegal firearms has intensified fears. High-profile targets, such as Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi of Inquilab Manch, survived multiple assassination attempts, prompting “Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2” from 13 December to 7 January, resulting in 15,936 arrests and 236 firearms recovered. However, the operation largely failed to apprehend professional criminals or recover major weapons.

Political candidates have also expressed concern for their safety. S.M. Zilani, a BNP candidate in Gopalganj-3, was seen wearing a bulletproof vest during a January campaign meeting. Other leaders have formally requested government protection amid rising threats.

Summary of Key Pre-Election Incidents:

Despite nationwide security preparations, including deploying 187,603 police personnel for the election, public confidence remains fragile. Experts warn that sustaining a peaceful environment in the run-up to voting is the key challenge, as isolated incidents could quickly escalate.

Election analysts emphasise that while recent attacks have subsided, continuous vigilance and effective law enforcement are crucial to ensure voters, candidates, and political organisations feel secure ahead of the February 12 polls.