Dhaka: Bangladesh’s State Minister for Liberation War Affairs, Ishraq Hossain, has sparked controversy after conducting an operation against alleged drug trafficking in a Dhaka slum while carrying a pistol and a loudspeaker. The incident, which took place on 17 October, came under scrutiny after a video of the operation circulated on social media.

Hossain visited a slum near Gandaria Railway Station in the Bangladeshi capital, accompanied by several associates, some of whom appeared to be carrying weapons. Footage shared by the minister showed him getting out of a vehicle, pursuing several people and warning residents against drug-related activities in the area.

During the operation, his associates detained six people and handed them over to the local police. Hossain described the action as an effort to dismantle drug dens and bring suspected dealers to justice.

However, the operation has raised questions about the minister’s decision to act without informing the police in advance. Masud Rana, a Dhaka Metropolitan Police official, confirmed that the authorities had received no prior notification of the raid and learnt about it only after the operation had taken place.

Moniruzzaman Monir, officer-in-charge of Gandaria Police Station, said officers reached the scene after being informed that the minister’s associates had detained several suspects. The individuals were subsequently taken to the police station.

Police said some powder had been recovered from the detainees. Its composition and whether it contained narcotic substances would be determined through further testing.

Some of those detained maintained that they were innocent and argued that the investigation should be conducted under police supervision.

Who Is Ishraq Hossain?

The 39-year-old Hossain is a leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and serves as State Minister for Liberation War Affairs in Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s government. He won the election held on 12 February.

In the video accompanying his account of the operation, Hossain said he had gone to the area to curb drug trafficking and ensure that suspected individuals were handed over to the police.

The footage prompted criticism on social media, with users questioning whether a government minister should personally conduct an armed raid, particularly without informing law enforcement authorities beforehand. The episode also raised broader concerns about the respective responsibilities of elected representatives and the police in maintaining public order.

As the controversy grew, Hossain removed the video post from his social media account.

The incident has brought renewed attention to Bangladesh’s efforts to combat drug trafficking while highlighting the importance of following established legal procedures and ensuring that law enforcement operations are conducted under appropriate police supervision.