Arms including looted police weapon recovered in Narayanganj's Araihazar

Arms and ammunition, including weapons looted from a local police station, were recovered from a house in Araihazar, Narayanganj, in a joint drive this morning.

Five men were arrested during the drive in the char area of Kalapaharia union, surrounded by the Meghna River, with the participation of the army and police, said Senior Assistant Superintendent of Police (Circle C) Mehedi Islam.

The weapons were recovered from a house owned by one Abul Kashem in Kadmirchar area of Kalapaharia, he added.

"Neither the owner nor his family members were living there," Md Alauddin, officer-in-charge of Araihazar police station, said.

Later in the afternoon, Lt Col Jobayer Alam told reporters at a briefing held at Khaliyarchar Jahanara Begum High School that the operation was carried out to curb crime and ensure law and order ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election.

He said 140 army personnel and 10 police members took part in the drive.

The arrestees are Md Jakir, 30; Md Jony, 19; Md Swapan, 40; Abdul Matin, 45; and Rintu Mia, 51.

All are from Khaliyarchar area of Kalapaharia, said a press release.

During the operation, the joint forces recovered a pistol looted from Araihazar police station during last year's mass uprising, along with a magazine, 10 rounds of pistol ammunition, and five rounds of shotgun shells.

They also seized eight crude bombs, a large number of locally made sharp weapons, a Chinese axe, an electric shock gun, drugs, Tk 10 lakh in cash, and a smartphone, said the army officer.

He added that Kalapaharia is a geographically isolated and sensitive area, surrounded by rivers, and has long been known as crime-prone.

"Intelligence reports suggested the presence of illegal arms, drugs, and looted police weapons in the area. So, we launched the operation around 5:30am, sealing off river routes, exit points, and residential zones," he said.

Searches were carried out at suspected hideouts, and patrols were intensified across the locality, leading to the recovery of arms and arrests.

"The operation will help significantly reduce criminal activities in the area. We are determined to maintain stability ahead of the national election, and such drives will continue, if necessary," he added.

The arrestees and recovered arms were handed over to the local police station later.