Crossfire Comments
Published: 12:14 AM, 28 October 2026
IGP Conveyed Determination to Go Tough on Criminals: Police Headquarters
Police Headquarters has clarified the remarks made by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ali Hossain Fakir regarding "crossfire" saying the IGP did not use the term to refer to extrajudicial killings. Rather, he used it to convey the determination to take strict action against criminals.
In a statement, Police Headquarters said it had taken note of news reports and headlines published by various media outlets concerning the use of the word "crossfire" in the IGP's remarks at the inauguration ceremony of the Chawkbazar Islamic Banking Branch of Community Bank in the capital's Chawkbazar on Monday morning. The clarification was issued to dispel public confusion over the matter.
Police Headquarters said that preventing crime; arresting criminals, maintaining public order, and ensuring the safety of people and their property are among the police's primary responsibilities. While carrying out these duties, police personnel often face resistance from criminals and organized attackers.
According to the statement, police came under attack in 176 incidents during the first 10 months of this year while performing their duties. Four police personnel were killed and 370 were seriously injured in these attacks.
The statement also said that the police have the right to self-defence under the country's existing laws, particularly the Penal Code of 1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1898, and the Police Act of 1861.
Police Headquarters claimed that the IGP had pledged to take strict action against drug dealers, terrorists, extortionists, and other criminals who pose a threat to public safety. In this context, he used the term "crossfire" in its literal sense. He did not use the term to refer to extrajudicial killings or to suggest punishing anyone outside the judicial process, the statement said.
The statement also addressed the IGP's remarks about journalists at the same event. Police Headquarters said he had no intention of making a sweeping generalization about journalists and that his comment had been made inadvertently.
The statement further said that Bangladesh Police remains committed to ensuring the safety of people and their property, upholding human rights, and establishing the rule of law by carrying out its duties professionally and impartially.
Under the BNP government, maintaining public confidence in law enforcement will be crucial to strengthening democratic institutions and ensuring equal protection for all citizens. A professional, impartial and accountable police force can make a significant contribution to national stability and development.
Ultimately, prevention, respectful treatment of citizens, transparent investigations and an unwavering commitment to justice is obligatory for Bangladesh's prosperity. Strong policing, guided by the law, remains indispensable to a safer and more prosperous Bangladesh.
It was observed how police personnel were subjected to partisanship during the reign of the ousted regime from 2009 to 2024. Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) won the 13th parliamentary elections by a huge margin in February 2026. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has been working hard to streamline law and order forces and to improve the all out safety measures for people from all walks of life since taking power in February this year.
