Amidst the ongoing "Operation Devil Hunt", Dhaka and other parts of the country witnessed a surge in criminal activities, including looting, muggings, theft, and armed gang movements, which led to widespread public fear.
However, within 24 hours of the joint forces launching intensified security measures, criminal elements have receded into the shadows, bringing a semblance of order to the capital.
With heightened police patrols in place, the capital remained relatively free from major criminal incidents between Monday night and Wednesday morning, barring a few isolated occurrences nationwide.
This swift response has reassured the public and signaled the state’s firm stance against lawlessness.
Addressing security personnel, Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury issued a stern warning, declaring that any negligence within the ranks of law enforcement would not be tolerated, and those found guilty of dereliction of duty would face legal consequences.
Over the past 24 hours, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) conducted extensive operations across its 50 police stations, deploying 500 patrol teams and establishing 54 checkpoints. These efforts led to the arrest of 248 individuals involved in various crimes, demonstrating a decisive push to curb disorder.
Police authorities confirmed that in a bid to stabilise public security, coordinated checkpoints and patrol operations were reinforced citywide from midnight on Monday. Law enforcement units have been particularly vigilant in crime-prone zones, ensuring that hotspots for robbery and theft are closely monitored.
Before the clampdown, incidents of rape, extortion, and daylight muggings had sent shockwaves through the city, exacerbating public anxiety. Violent street crimes sparked national outcry, prompting the government to announce a stringent approach, deploying joint security forces and ramping up police presence.
Experts in law and order, along with criminologists, have criticised the existing police mechanisms, arguing that outdated operational methods have emboldened criminals. Analysts stress the urgent need for a more robust and adaptive law enforcement strategy to keep urban crime in check.
According to the DMP’s Crime Command and Control Centre, a citywide raid over the past 24 hours led to the arrest of 248 suspects, including 14 robbers, 16 muggers, seven extortionists, 11 burglars, 22 identified drug traffickers, and 44 individuals with outstanding warrants. Law enforcement seized an assortment of weapons, including knives, pliers, screwdrivers, iron rods, and machetes. Additionally, authorities confiscated 49.87 kilograms of cannabis and 704 yaba tablets.
Nationwide, ‘Operation Devil Hunt’ has yielded 639 arrests in the past 24 hours alone, with 999 additional suspects detained under separate legal proceedings, bringing the total to 1,638 arrests within a single day.
Monday’s high-level meeting of the Core Committee on Law and Order, chaired by Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, addressed measures to reinforce public security.
Key participants included Local Government Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, Housing and Public Works Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan, and Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Khoda Bux Chowdhury, alongside senior law enforcement officials.
The committee resolved to expand security checkpoints in strategic locations and increase patrol frequency in crime-prone districts.
Additionally, a coordinated operation involving the army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and police units was sanctioned to target high-risk areas.
Certain key roads in Dhaka will now have additional naval patrols, and select districts will see increased Coast Guard deployment.
Specialised mobile teams and motorcycle patrols have been mobilised to conduct swift interventions in alleyways and secluded urban zones to apprehend criminals. Beyond Dhaka, security reinforcements have been ordered for Tongi, Basila, Keraniganj, and Munshiganj to ensure broader law enforcement coverage.
Authorities have also been directed to compile updated lists of known criminals by police jurisdiction and expedite legal action against them. Additionally, measures have been enacted to counter misinformation and prevent the spread of propaganda.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday morning, Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury acknowledged both successes and challenges, urging journalists to report accurately.
He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to accountability, stating that any inefficiency within law enforcement—be it police, BGB, RAB, or Ansar—would be addressed under the law.
On the progress of joint operations since Monday night, he remarked, ‘We are keenly monitoring the situation and will assess updates as they come. With collective efforts, we anticipate positive outcomes.’
Addressing journalists, he urged responsible reporting, saying, "Earlier, you couldn’t report freely. Now, you can. Deliver truthful and accurate news, and observe how we take action".
Meanwhile, at a National Martyrs’ Soldiers Day photo exhibition at RAOWA Club in Mahakhali, Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman reflected on the broader causes of the deteriorating security situation.
He pointed out that internal political discord and societal divisions have provided a fertile ground for criminals to operate unchecked. "When we remain embroiled in conflicts against one another, criminals exploit the chaos. If we stand united, we can collectively counteract this threat," he asserted.
General Waqar emphasised the necessity for a synchronised approach involving the police, RAB, BGB, DGFI, and NSI to decisively neutralise criminal networks and restore lasting order in the country.
