A routine anti-narcotics operation in southern Bangladesh took an unexpected turn on Sunday evening when a massive swarm of hornets attacked law enforcement officers and local residents, leaving at least 25 people injured.

The incident occurred in the Janata Bazaar area of Badarpur Union, situated within the Lalmohan Upazila of Bhola district. Acting on specific intelligence provided by community members, a team from the Lalmohan Police Station arrived at the scene to detain a suspected drug vendor. Local residents had reportedly cornered the female suspect, prompting officers to intervene and secure the area.

As police officers and bystanders gathered near the location, a disturbed nest triggered a sudden and aggressive strike by hornets. The relentless swarm set upon the crowd, inflicting stings on both the responding officers and the assembled locals. Amongst the injured were Sub-Inspector Asad and Assistant Sub-Inspector Al-Amin, alongside several other police personnel.

Eyewitness Alauddin Howlader, a local schoolteacher, reported that the situation escalated rapidly when the insects descended upon the gathering crowd. Civilians, including local residents Bashar Howlader, Rubel, and Mamun, sustained multiple stings whilst trying to escape the swarm.

Despite the chaotic onslaught, officers managed to maintain control of the operation and detained the suspect, identified as Sharmin, seizing a quantity of Yaba pills—a popular methamphetamine-based contraband—from her possession.

Confirming the details of the incident on Monday, Nazarul Islam, Officer-in-Charge of Lalmohan Police Station, stated that the injured police officers were administered immediate first aid and are currently out of danger. He added that the operation was initiated directly in response to community reports regarding illicit drug distribution in the locality. The detained suspect remains in custody, and formal legal proceedings regarding the seized narcotics are currently underway.