Over 1,000 arrested as ‘Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2’ launched nationwide

Bangladesh’s joint forces have launched ‘Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2’ Saturday evening to seize illegal weapons, restore law and order, and crack down on extremist elements ahead of the national elections.

Within just two days, authorities have arrested 1,043 people and recovered a cache of deadly weapons, including a foreign pistol, swords, knives, a ramda – a locally made long machete, and a rechargeable stun gun. 

Hundreds of others were detained under existing cases and arrest warrants.

The operation was fast-tracked following the shooting of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, a potential candidate for the Dhaka parliamentary seat, prompting the Home Ministry’s core committee on law and order to order a nationwide clampdown on those seeking to disrupt the elections.

“Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2 targets those who threaten public safety, stockpile illegal arms, and intend to destabilise the election process,” said Additional Inspector General (Media and PR) AHM Shahadat Hossain.

Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury at core committee on law and order meeting added that the operation aims to recover looted and illegal weapons while suppressing ‘fascist terrorists’ to ensure a peaceful voting environment.

AIG Shahadat confirmed the operation will continue nationwide until further orders, with joint forces mobilised across all districts.

This follows the first phase of Operation Devil Hunt, launched ten months ago on February 8, in response to terrorist attacks on students and the public in Gazipur. 

That operation successfully targeted extremists and helped restore order in affected areas.

The massive crackdown signals a no-nonsense approach by authorities to curb election-related violence and bring armed elements to justice ahead of the national polls.