Deadly 'pen gun' spreads in Dhaka, intelligence on alert

Intelligence agencies have discovered a new, extremely small yet deadly weapon in Dhaka's criminal underworld. Security agencies are on high alert over this 'pen gun', which looks like an ordinary pen and can be carried in a pocket. After its recent use in an attempted murder in Old Dhaka, the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police has identified those behind it.

On April 7, a small but deadly weapon resembling a pen was recovered from the Lalbagh Kotwali police station area in the capital. Though it can be carried in a pocket like an ordinary pen, it can instantly become a lethal weapon.

DB officials said the recovered pen gun is approximately 6 inches long. Its tip is made of brass and round, with the clip-shaped part functioning as a trigger. When the bottom part or nib is opened, a .22 calibre bullet can be loaded inside. Arrested suspects said they acquired the weapon from the black market for approximately Tk 80,000.

Police further said the pen gun was recovered while investigating a shooting incident that occurred in broad daylight in Old Dhaka's Nayabazar on April 3. The investigation revealed that this small weapon was used in the attempted murder of Jubo Dal leader Russell. The weapon can fire one bullet at a time.

A team from DB's Lalbagh division arrested two suspects, Sohel alias Kalu and Simon, from Jatrabari and Keraniganj, and seized this special weapon from them.

DB Joint Commissioner (South) Md Nasirul Islam said, "We began a shadow investigation after the Nayabazar incident. We arrested Simon from Jatrabari and later Kalu from Keraniganj. The pen gun was recovered from Kalu."

He said, "This is not an ordinary firearm. No record of such a weapon being used in Dhaka has been found before. Multiple teams are working to determine how the weapon entered the country, who is involved in smuggling, and whether it has been used elsewhere."

Injured Jubo Dal leader Russell was shot after being called to a house in Nayabazar on April 3. His family claims he went there after being called by acquaintances. After being shot, the same individuals took him first to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and later to a private hospital in Dhanmondi.

Intelligence sources suspect that some small firearms used in espionage have made their way into the hands of criminals. Professional criminals may be acquiring these weapons through illegal channels. Suspects are being interrogated, and intelligence gathering through various sources continues.

Investigation sources said the recovered pen gun was hidden inside a cigarette packet. Police suspect the weapon may have been smuggled into the country from India or Pakistan. One arrested suspect said the weapon was bought for Tk 80,000, with plans to sell it at a higher price. It is believed the shooting may have resulted from a dispute over drugs.

Intelligence officials said the seized weapon has no company logo or identifiable markings, making it difficult to trace its origin. At the same time, information is also being reviewed regarding the use of such small weapons by extremist groups in the south-western region, particularly in Khulna.

According to intelligence, small weapons that can be easily concealed are increasingly being used in modern urban crime instead of large ones. These weapons, disguised as ordinary objects, pose a major challenge to security systems.

There are small firearms that can be hidden inside lipsticks, wallets, belts or the palm of the hand. In many cases, these weapons can fire one or two rounds. They are manufactured for use in espionage and targeted attacks. Though difficult to identify due to their portability, intelligence agencies are actively working to detect them.