TDS Desk:

The Ministry of Home Affairs has announced a joint operation from 4 September to recover stolen weapons during the attacks on police stations and units following the ousting of the Sheikh Hasina government from power.

Public Relations Officer Faisal Ahmed of the Ministry of Home Affairs confirmed this in a press release on Sunday.

The police headquarters has warned that legal action will be taken if the stolen arms and ammunition are not returned by 3 September.

The Ministry of Home Affairs had previously suspended firearm licenses issued to civilians over the past 15 years, with a deadline set for 3 September for the submission of these weapons.

During the drive, criminals and perpetrators of murders during the anti-discrimination protests will be arrested, and the looted, non-submitted and illegal firearms will be recovered.

A senior officer of the Bangladesh Police said the armed forces are in the field to assist the civil administration, so they will be part of the joint drive.

According to the Police Headquarters, 450 police stations came under attack during the mass uprising. A huge number of arms and bullets were looted from the stations during that period.

As of 31 August, police recovered 3,872 firearms, around 2.86 lakh bullets, 2,221 tear gas canisters and 2,139 sound grenades. A large number of looted arms and ammunition still remained unrecovered, said sources.