Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) has launched a sweeping security operation across the port city, what officials describe as a decisive attempt to restore public confidence following a brazen gun attack on a businessman’s residence.
During overnight raids in multiple police station areas, police arrested 65 people including alleged juvenile gang members, snatchers and drug dealers, and seized weapons and narcotics.
The coordinated crackdown, titled ‘S Drive’, began late Sunday night and spanned all 16 police station jurisdictions under CMP.
Gun attack prompts crackdown
The move came after armed assailants on Saturday opened fire at the Chandgaon home of Smart Group Chairman Mostafizur Rahman — a property that was already under police protection.
The attack was carried out by masked gunmen who fired six to seven rounds using pistols, a Chinese rifle and other sophisticated firearms, police said. CCTV footage reportedly shows four armed men approaching the residence and shooting repeatedly before fleeing. Investigators said one suspect was seen carrying two pistols, while others wielded a submachine gun, a shotgun and a rifle.
The businessman alleged the attackers were linked to fugitive criminal Sajjad Ali and had targeted him after failing to extort a large sum of money. The same house had been attacked on 2 January, when gunfire shattered windows and struck the main door, prompting heightened security.
The latest incident, in a densely populated neighbourhood in the port city, triggered panic among residents and prompted CMP to intensify intelligence surveillance and launch simultaneous raids at 10 key points across the city to prevent suspects from escaping between areas.
Additional Police Commissioner Wahidul Haque Chowdhury said the primary objective of ‘S Drive’ is to stabilise law and order and reassure residents. “We are conducting coordinated operations to bring offenders under the law and ensure public safety,” he said, adding that ten special teams are working round the clock.
Police have yet to file a formal case over the second shooting but confirmed that suspects have been identified and raids are ongoing at possible hideouts.
Arrests and seizures
During overnight operations, officers detained alleged juvenile gang members, snatchers and drug dealers. Kotwali police station recorded the highest number of arrests at 13, recovering a locally made LG firearm and three knives.
Bayezid police arrested eight individuals and seized 14 Yaba tablets along with 12 shotgun cartridges and 10 rounds of pistol bullets. EPZ officers detained four suspects and seized 200 Yaba tablets. Patenga saw eight arrests and Chandgaon six, with 108 Yaba tablets seized in Patenga alone.
Besides, arrests were made in Double Mooring (five), Chawkbazar (four), and three each in Sadarghat, Bakalia and Panchlaish. Two suspects were detained in Khulshi, Akbar Shah and Karnaphuli, while one arrest each was made in Pahartali and Bandar. No arrests were reported in Halishahar.
In total, police recovered one LG firearm, multiple knives and machetes, a cleaver, 12 shotgun cartridges and 10 pistol bullets. Separate drug cases have been filed.
Weapons under scrutiny
Authorities are investigating the source of the sophisticated firearms used in the attack. CMP suspects the weapons may have originated from militant groups in the hill tracts or from firearms looted from police stations during unrest following the fall of the Awami League government on 5 August in 2024.
During that period, attacks on 18 police stations and units in Chattogram resulted in the looting of 948 firearms. While 793 have since been recovered, 155 remain missing — including Chinese rifles, SMGs, LMGs, pistols and tear gas launchers.
Checkposts have now been set up at key city entry points to prevent the movement of illegal arms, and intelligence monitoring has been strengthened.
Mixed public reaction
Residents have expressed a range of views about the operation. Mehedi Hasan, a resident of Agrabad, welcomed the initiative but cautioned against announcing drives in advance, arguing that criminals might evade arrest. Ali Akbar of Khulshi said sustained enforcement would be key. “If the drive continues, no matter how powerful they are, offenders will not escape justice,” he said.
Others, however, questioned whether the operation would lead to lasting change or prove merely cosmetic.
CMP Assistant Commissioner (Media) Aminur Rashid dismissed such criticism, saying police are committed to ensuring the city’s security. “Whoever commits a crime will be brought to justice. We are making our utmost efforts to protect the people of Chattogram,” he said.
Police officials indicated that ‘S Drive’ will continue until authorities are satisfied that law and order has stabilised, signalling what could be a prolonged enforcement campaign in Bangladesh’s second-largest city.
