Bangladesh State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraque Hossain has defended carrying and displaying a licensed firearm during an anti-drug operation in Dhaka, saying he did not threaten anyone with the weapon or fire a shot.

The minister said the operation was part of a broader effort to build social resistance against drug trafficking after repeated complaints from residents and what he described as ineffective police action in the area. The incident took place on Saturday, October 17, near Gendaria Railway Station in Dhaka.

Minister says firearm was legal

Ishraque said the firearm belonged to him legally and that he carried it because law enforcement personnel had previously been injured in operations in the area.

He said he had held 30 to 40 meetings with police over the drug problem but remained dissatisfied with the response. According to the minister, shortages of personnel and vehicles had limited police operations, prompting him to take part in the drive himself.

“I didn't fire any shots, nor did I threaten anyone with it. Yes, we conducted the operation, and we are building a social resistance,” he said.

Video sparks questions over firearm use

A video posted on Ishraque’s Facebook page showed him stepping out of a vehicle with a pistol in one hand and a handheld microphone in the other, then chasing several people near the railway tracks. The footage showed him pointing the weapon while shouting at them to stop.

Other members of his entourage were also seen carrying firearms, and one person was seen kicking a man during the operation. The video later circulated widely on social media and was removed from the minister’s page.

The incident has raised questions about the public display of licensed firearms and the role of elected representatives in conducting anti-drug operations.

Police say six people were detained

Gendaria police said six people were taken into custody after the minister’s group detained them and informed the police. Officers reportedly recovered a powder-like substance from the detainees, which would require testing to determine its identity.

Masud Rana, additional deputy commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Wari division, said the minister had not informed police before the operation and that they learned about it afterward.

Debate over licensed firearms

Bangladesh’s Firearms License Issuance, Renewal and Use Policy 2025 permits licensed firearms to be carried or used for self-defence, but prohibits displaying them in a manner that may cause fear or annoyance to others.

The policy has prompted questions about whether the manner in which the firearm was displayed during the operation complied with its conditions. The legal implications depend on the circumstances and the applicable rules; no conclusion about a violation can be drawn from the video alone.

Ishraque has said he will continue anti-drug operations in his Dhaka-6 constituency and that people involved in drug trading will face action regardless of political affiliation. He also urged local residents to support efforts to curb drug-related activities.