A Bangladesh River Police speedboat sank while chasing fishermen in the Meghna River near Sataki Launch Ghat in Shatnal, Matlab North, Chandpur. Although the vessel was later recovered from the river, a police shotgun remains missing. No casualties have been reported, and a diving team has been deployed to search for the missing firearm.
The incident occurred near Sataki Launch Ghat in the Shatnal area of Matlab North Upazila. Details of the circumstances that led to the speedboat sinking, as well as how the shotgun went missing, have yet to be fully established.
Alamgir Hossain, in-charge of Chandpur Sadar River Police, confirmed the incident. He said the speedboat went underwater during an operation involving a chase after fishermen. No one was injured, but a police shotgun could not be located following the incident.
Officers from Matlab North Police Station, Mohonpur River Police Outpost and Beltoli Police Outpost were present at the scene. They were monitoring the situation and following developments in the recovery operation.
Syed Mushfiqur Rahman, superintendent of police for the Chandpur River Police region, said the sunken speedboat had been recovered. A team of divers was deployed to search for the missing shotgun, with efforts under way to locate the weapon.
Meanwhile, the incident has raised questions among local residents about the jurisdiction and authorisation of Chandpur River Police operations in the river areas of Matlab North. Some residents have questioned whether the necessary permissions were obtained and whether adequate coordination was maintained among the relevant authorities before the operation was conducted.
Local residents have also called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. They want clarification on the conditions in which the speedboat sank, how the shotgun went missing and whether any coordination-related difficulties contributed to the situation.
However, no official explanation has yet been provided regarding the questions surrounding the operation’s authorisation. The precise cause of the speedboat’s sinking and the circumstances in which the firearm disappeared also remain unclear.
The loss of a police firearm during an operation raises concerns about operational safety and the security of official weapons. Recovering the shotgun and establishing a clear account of the incident are therefore important priorities for the authorities.
Further details are expected as the search operation progresses and the relevant authorities provide additional information. For now, the speedboat has been recovered, but the search for the missing shotgun continues.
