Dhaka-6 MP and State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraq Hossain has defended his decision to raise a licensed firearm during an anti-drug campaign in the capital’s Gandaria area, saying he acted out of concern for his safety amid fears of a possible attack.

In a statement issued on Sunday (October 18) by his press officer, Mahfuz Kabir Mukta, Ishraq said he and his government security personnel had briefly raised their firearms in self-defence because of an immediate security threat. He described media reports on the incident as selective and misleading.

According to the statement, Ishraq took part in a social campaign against drugs near the Gandaria railway line on October 17. He said local residents had repeatedly complained about drug trading and the spread of drug use among students in Ghantighar, Munsitek, Koratitola and surrounding areas.

He added that he had visited the area in June after three people were shot in drug-related violence. He also held several coordination meetings with senior law enforcement officials and sent a demi-official (DO) letter to the relevant police station requesting the establishment of a permanent police outpost near drug dens.

Explaining why he raised his firearm, Ishraq said law enforcement agencies and his own intelligence sources had warned him about security risks before the campaign. He had also been cautioned about the possibility of drug dealers firing at the convoy from rooftops.

According to his account, when the convoy approached a temporary drug den, around 30 to 35 people advanced towards the vehicles in an aggressive manner. Considering the possibility of an attack and the safety of those present, he and his security personnel got out of their vehicles and briefly raised their firearms. He said the weapons were returned to their proper positions once the situation had stabilised.

Ishraq maintained that the firearm he displayed was licensed by the appropriate authority and that it was raised solely for self-defence.

The statement said Gandaria Police Station was informed of the incident. A joint operation was subsequently conducted at suspected drug dens with police assistance.

Ishraq claimed that four to five illegal and makeshift drug dens were dismantled during the operation. Authorities allegedly seized heroin or heroin-like substances, foreign liquor, drug-use paraphernalia, locally made sharp weapons, cash believed to be proceeds from drug sales and mobile phones suspected of being stolen. Six people were detained and handed over to Gandaria police along with the seized items.

Objections to Media Coverage

The state minister expressed dissatisfaction with the coverage of the incident by several media outlets. He alleged that reports focused primarily on images of him holding a firearm while overlooking the broader context of the operation, police involvement, alleged drug and weapon seizures, and the detention of six people.

Ishraq said reporting based on selective information and images was contrary to independent and objective journalism. He urged media outlets to verify information and present the full context before publishing reports.

Reaffirming the government’s “zero tolerance” policy against drugs, Ishraq said making Dhaka-6 drug-free was one of his key commitments. He added that the anti-drug movement would not be stopped by what he described as selective portrayals of events.

The minister said anti-drug operations would continue in the public interest.