Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed spoke to journalists after the quarterly crime review conference for April-June 2026 at the Bangladesh Police Auditorium in Rajarbagh. Photo : PID

DHAKA, Aug 29, 2026 (BSS) - Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed today said the government has intensified its nationwide drive to recover looted and illegal firearms by forming a special unit in coordination with various intelligence agencies.
 
“A well-coordinated operation was underway to track down and recover illegal weapons and prevent their trafficking,” he said.

He was speaking to journalists after the quarterly crime review conference for April-June 2026 at the Bangladesh Police Auditorium in Rajarbagh. 

Ahmed added the special unit would work with intelligence agencies to strengthen operations against illegal arms, drug trafficking, smuggling and extortion.

The Home Minister has also announced financial rewards for information leading to the recovery of looted and illegal weapons. Informants will receive up to Tk 200,000 for information resulting in the recovery of heavy weapons and up to Tk 50,000 for pistols, revolvers or shotguns.

Rewards ranging from Tk 10,000 to Tk 20,000 will also be given for information leading to the recovery of sound grenades, looted tear-gas shells and other stolen weapons, he said.

“The identity of informants will be kept strictly confidential,” the minister added.

Ahmed said weapons whose licences had been cancelled but were not surrendered within the stipulated deadline had already been treated as illegal arms, with cases filed against the holders. 

“Operations to recover such weapons are continuing,” he stated.

He also warned that police officials who fail to take effective action against terrorism, extortion and drug trafficking within the stipulated deadlines would face strict legal and administrative measures.

The minister said the government was pursuing coordinated strategic operations across the country to improve law and order and make the police force more people-oriented and responsive to public concerns.

Inspector General of Police Md Ali Hossain Fakir chaired the conference,  attended by senior police officials, including divisional DIGs, metropolitan police commissioners and district superintendents of police.

Senior Home Secretary Manzur Morshed Chowdhury attended as the special guest, while Additional IGP (Crime and Operations) Khondoker Rafiqul Islam delivered the welcome address.

Additional IGP (Administration) AKM Awlad Hossain was also present.