Ishraque explains why he drew pistol during anti-drug drive

State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraque Hossain has explained why he displayed a firearm while chasing suspected drug users and threatening to fire during an incident that has drawn criticism over the apparent use of a weapon in public.

The controversy erupted after a video circulated showing Ishraque displaying a pistol during an anti-drug operation on Saturday in Dayaganj, near Gandaria Railway Station in the capital. On Sunday afternoon, the minister issued a statement on his verified Facebook page explaining the circumstances.

Citing concerns for his personal safety, Ishraque said in the statement that 30 to 35 people he described as lawbreakers suddenly advanced towards his motorcade in an aggressive manner when he arrived at the scene.

“Fearing an attack and concerned for the safety of life and property, I and my official security personnel got out of our vehicles and raised our weapons for self-defence for a very brief period,” he said.

The statement argued that videos, photo cards and headlines circulating online focused on only a few seconds of a sensitive incident and failed to capture the broader context. It alleged that the selective presentation of the footage was intended to create confusion among the public about the minister’s role and motives.

The statement, posted in the name of the minister’s press officer, Mahfuz Kabir Mukta, said Ishraque had offered a detailed explanation of reports published by news outlets and shared on social media about his participation in an anti-drug public resistance campaign near the Gandaria railway line and his carrying of a personally licensed firearm for self-defence.

According to the statement, since taking office as the elected MP for Dhaka-6, Ishraque has received specific complaints from residents about drug sales in Ghantighar, Munsitek, Karatitola and surrounding areas, as well as the spread of drugs among students at educational institutions.

It said the area had become a major transit point for drug syndicates in the aftermath of the 2024 mass uprising. Following a drug-related violent incident in June in which three civilians were shot, the minister visited the area and held several coordination meetings with senior law enforcement officials.

The statement added that Ishraque had sent an official demi-official letter to the relevant police station seeking to address staffing shortages and establish a permanent police outpost near drug dens. The proposal, it said, remains under consideration.

The minister said his visit on Saturday was part of a coordinated public resistance campaign involving residents and law enforcement agencies, following a joint decision by police officials and local political and community leaders.

The statement further claimed that, before the visit, the minister had received warnings from law enforcement agencies and his own intelligence sources about security risks, including the possibility of drug traffickers opening fire unexpectedly from rooftops.

“During the programme, when we approached a makeshift drug den, 30 to 35 lawbreakers suddenly advanced towards our motorcade, shouting and behaving aggressively,” Ishraque said. “Fearing an imminent attack and concerned for the safety of life and property, I and my official security personnel got out of our vehicles and raised our weapons in self-defence for a very brief period.”

He added that the firearm was returned to its proper place as soon as the potential threat had passed.

The minister maintained that the firearm was licensed by the appropriate authority and that it had been displayed solely for self-defence and within the bounds of the law.