Police have launched a formal investigation following widespread public outrage over State Minister for Liberation War Affairs, Ishraq Hossain, taking part in an anti-drug operation while brandishing a firearm in Dhaka.
Confirming the enquiry on Sunday afternoon at the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Media Centre, Additional Commissioner (Detective Branch) Shafiqul Islam stated that the Deputy Commissioner of the DMP Wari Division has been tasked with investigating the incident. Law enforcement authorities assured the public that appropriate legal action would follow should the investigation uncover any breach of the law.
The controversial incident unfolded on Saturday afternoon, 17 October 2026, near the Dayaganj Gumtighar railway gate adjacent to Gandaria Railway Station in the capital. The entire operation was documented and published on State Minister Ishraq Hossain’s official Facebook page under the title “Ishraq’s Action: Drug Den Demolished, Vendors Handed Over to Police”, quickly triggering intense debate across social media platforms.
Video footage capturing the raid shows the state minister stepping out of a vehicle with a handgun raised, shouting commands to chase down individuals at the scene. He was accompanied by two personal bodyguards, Tofazzal Hossain and Lavlud, along with an assigned government security officer. Witnesses and footage confirmed that firearms were visible in the hands of multiple individuals in his entourage. At one point, a security guard was recorded physically kicking an apprehended youth.
Though portions of the weapon held by Ishraq Hossain were blurred in the published clip, the handgun remained clearly visible during several segments. When confronted by a frightened young man claiming innocence, the state minister was heard responding that explanations would be handled once the police arrived.
Speaking regarding the event, Pavel Shikdar, former convenor of the Dhaka Metropolitan South Chhatra Dal, stated that the intervention took place between 3:00 PM and 3:30 PM following repeated complaints from local residents regarding drug activities in the area. Shikdar added that law enforcement had been informed prior to the operation but delayed in reaching the site.
The armed drive has raised serious administrative and legal questions concerning executive conduct, law enforcement mandates, and civilian safety. Critics and legal scholars have questioned whether a state minister possesses the constitutional or statutory authority to execute vigilante-style operations, pointing out that maintaining public order remains the exclusive domain of police forces.
Questions have also arisen regarding the legality and licensing of the firearm displayed. Addressing the allegations, Ishraq Hossain stated that the weapon in his possession was fully licensed. Responding to queries about why the firearm was omitted from his election affidavit submitted to the Returning Officer, he clarified that the weapon was procured on 12 December 2025, following a shooting incident involving Sharif Osman Hadi, leaving no opportunity to include it in the earlier electoral filings.
However, legal experts highlight that section 25(a) of the Ministry of Home Affairs’ 2025 firearm regulations explicitly restricts the open display of licensed weapons. While citizens are authorised to carry and use valid firearms strictly for self-defence, the guidelines strictly prohibit displaying weapons in a manner that causes fear, panic, or disturbance among the public. The ongoing police probe will determine whether the state minister’s actions violated these statutory conditions.
