The authorities have stepped up nationwide security operations ahead of the 13th parliamentary election, as scattered clashes, arson attacks on polling centres and a steady recovery of illegal weapons heighten public anxiety about safety and stability.
While no large-scale violence has been reported so far, almost daily incidents of political clashes and sabotage have been recorded in different parts of the country. Law enforcement agencies say firearms, ammunition and sharp weapons are being recovered regularly during raids, reinforcing concerns about possible militant attacks and election-related sabotage.
In Netrakona, several polling centres and booths were set on fire in recent days. With the election approaching, fears are growing among voters amid warnings of extremist violence and organised disruption. Authorities say extensive security measures have been put in place to ensure a peaceful vote.
Nearly one million members of the armed forces, police and auxiliary security units have been deployed across the country. Army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), police, Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP), among others, have been mobilised as part of a coordinated security plan. Although polling will take place on 12 February, security personnel will remain on duty for seven days until 14 February.
From Sunday, joint forces intensified operations nationwide. The country has a total of 42,779 polling centres and 247,482 polling booths, nearly half of which have been identified as vulnerable. Additional security measures have been imposed around high-risk centres, while joint patrols have been increased in the three hill districts and other remote areas.
Data from Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) shows that 15 political leaders and activists have been killed in the 36 days following the announcement of the election schedule. Human rights organisation Odhikar reviewed incidents in 50 constituencies across 22 districts between 18 January and 5 February, reporting 30 incidents of violence in 14 districts during that period.
Weapons recovered in security raids
Security agencies say a significant number of illegal weapons have been seized in recent operations. Early Monday, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) recovered a foreign revolver, two single-barrel guns, bullets, cartridges and locally made weapons during a raid in Banshkhali, Chattogram.
A day earlier, joint forces arrested SM Galib Imteyaz Nahid, joint secretary general of the central committee of Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal, along with Rabiul Islam Babu, also known as “Machine Babu”, and Masud Rana Alvi, also known as “Shooter Masud”, from Dogarmora in Savar municipality. Another associate, Swapan Sheikh, fled before the operation.
Weapons recovered from the group included one 7.65mm pistol, two additional 7.65mm pistols, four pistol magazines, 15 rounds of 7.65mm ammunition, five rounds of 6.35mm ammunition, six shotgun cartridges, eight machetes and five samurai swords.
On Friday night, a special joint force led by the army arrested Mehdi Hasan Dipu, a close associate of top criminal Subrata Bain, from a house in the Beparipara area of Middle Badda in Dhaka. Eleven modern foreign-made firearms and 394 rounds of ammunition were recovered from a third-floor flat. Another associate, known as “Madhu Babu”, remains at large, with Dipu claiming he possessed 13 to 14 firearms.
Earlier, joint forces in Shariatpur recovered three modern firearms, 140 rounds of ammunition, magazines, drugs and various equipment, arresting former district Chhatra Dal leader Ismat Jahan, also known as Elora Hawladar.
In Faridpur’s Kanaipur area, four pistols wrapped in tape, 18 rounds of ammunition and more than 200 locally made weapons were recovered after being submerged in a pond. BGB says intelligence indicates illegal arms are entering the country through at least 30 border points, prompting intensified operations in Jashore, Benapole and Chapainawabganj. In Satkhira’s Nildumur border area alone, 14 firearms and a large quantity of ammunition were seized.
Meanwhile, police and intelligence agencies are searching for a newly emerged criminal figure known as “Dilip Dada”, believed to be operating around Dhaka’s Karwan Bazar.
Four armed individuals were identified following clashes in Munshiganj.
Police chief outlines security risks
Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam said a three-tier security system had been put in place. He said police had identified 8,770 polling centres as highly vulnerable, while 16,000 centres were categorised as moderately risky and another 16,000 as generally risky.
He said efforts were underway to bring nearly 24,000 high- and medium-risk centres under body-worn camera surveillance. Addressing pre-election violence, the IGP said that between 11 December and 9 February, authorities recorded 317 incidents of violence, leaving five people dead and 603 injured.
On the recovery of looted firearms and licensed weapons, Alam said any illegal weapon outside state control posed a serious threat. He said regular operations were underway to recover arms smuggled into the country through various routes. So far, 27,009 licensed weapons have been deposited at police stations, while more than a thousand looted licensed private firearms remain missing. A total of 1,330 police weapons are yet to be recovered.
Clashes and arson incidents continue
As polling day draws closer, incidents of political violence have increased. On Monday, clashes involving BNP and Jamaat supporters were reported in Bogura and Barguna. On the final day of campaigning, attacks and clashes were reported in Barguna, Debidwar in Cumilla, Raipur in Lakshmipur, Bauphal, Bhola, Tangail and Tongi in Gazipur.
In Barguna, former MP Golam Sarwar Hero was injured in an attack involving sharp weapons. In Debidwar, three BNP activists were injured in an attack by NCP supporters, while the motorcade of independent candidate Shihab Ahmed in Lalmonirhat-1 constituency came under attack.
In Netrakona, arson attacks targeted several polling booths in Sadar and Purbadhala upazilas. According to allegations, miscreants set fire to booths at Parla Government Primary School, Nurpur Shridharpur Government Primary School, Bamonmoha Government Primary School and Narandia Government Primary School late on Monday night. Furniture, fans and lights inside the booths were damaged before locals brought the fires under control.
Netrakona Superintendent of Police Md Tarikul Islam said police and detective units visited the sites on Tuesday morning and launched investigations.
Nearly one million deployed for law and order
Election Commission data shows that 970,948 security personnel have been deployed since Sunday. This includes 100,003 army personnel, 5,000 navy members, 3,730 air force members, 37,453 BGB personnel, 3,585 coast guard members, 187,603 police officers, 9,349 RAB members, and 576,483 Ansar and VDP members. In addition, 1,922 BNCC cadets, 45,820 village police, and 1,051 executive magistrates are on duty.
A Home Ministry circular issued on 7 January said armed forces had been deployed to assist civil administration to ensure a free, fair and peaceful election. According to the directive, 16 to 17 security personnel are stationed at each general polling centre outside metropolitan areas, rising to 17 to 18 at vulnerable centres. In metropolitan areas, 16 personnel are assigned to general centres and 17 to high-risk ones. In 25 remote districts, 16 to 18 members are deployed per centre, remaining on site from two days before polling until election day.
Authorities say joint forces are coordinating closely with returning and presiding officers to secure polling, vote counting and post-election processes, as the country prepares for one of its most heavily guarded elections.
