Special unit formed to recover looted arms; informants to get Tk 2 lakh reward

A special unit has been formed to recover looted and illegal firearms across Bangladesh, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said on Saturday (August 29), announcing rewards of up to Tk 200,000 for information leading to the recovery of heavy weapons.

Speaking to reporters after a quarterly crime review meeting at Rajarbagh Police Lines in Dhaka, the minister said the newly formed unit had already begun operations with intelligence support from various agencies.

He said authorities were intensifying efforts to recover looted and illegal weapons and had instructed law enforcement agencies to strengthen their operations.

Under the reward scheme, anyone providing information that helps recover heavy weapons will receive up to Tk 200,000. Information leading to the recovery of pistols, revolvers, shotguns and similar firearms will carry rewards of up to Tk 50,000.

Rewards ranging from Tk 10,000 to Tk 20,000 will also be offered for information helping recover sound grenades, looted tear-gas shells and other looted weapons, depending on the type and circumstances.

The minister said nationwide operations were under way to recover illegal and looted firearms. Special drives would also be conducted against drugs, smuggling, terrorism and extortion, with intelligence agencies providing support.

Asked whether officials failing to control extortion, terrorism and drugs would face action, Salahuddin said deadlines had been set for responsible officers. Those failing to demonstrate progress within the stipulated period would face action, although the deadlines had not yet expired.

He assured that the identities of informants would be kept confidential.

“Why would people provide information if their identities were not kept secret?” he said.

Regarding recently cancelled firearm licences, the minister said weapons that were not surrendered within the stipulated deadline had already been classified as illegal, and cases had been filed against those concerned.

Asked about weapons being smuggled across the border into neighbouring countries, Salahuddin said Bangladeshi police could not conduct operations inside another country. However, authorities would recover weapons remaining inside Bangladesh.

The minister said new strategies had also been devised to strengthen efforts against firearms, drugs, smuggling, terrorism and extortion, but details would not be disclosed at this stage.

He expressed confidence that authorities would achieve success in these areas soon.