High-level consultations have begun within the government to select a new Inspector General of Police (IGP) following widespread political and public backlash over controversial "crossfire" remarks made by incumbent police chief Md Ali Hossain Fakir.
Official sources confirmed that the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has summoned the personal and professional files of three Additional IGPs from the 15th BCS (Police) batch to consider candidates for the top post.
The officers under consideration are Hasib Aziz, Chief of the Armed Police Battalion (APBn); Barrister Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain, Chief of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID); and Md Ahsan Habib Palash, Director General of the newly formed Special Response Battalion (SRB). All three officers were reportedly bypassed for promotions during the previous Awami League regime.
Sources at the PMO indicated that a final decision regarding a leadership change in Bangladesh Police is expected after Prime Minister Tarique Rahman returns from an official visit to Japan on Thursday.
While the three 15th BCS officers are currently the primary contenders, sources noted that the ultimate decision rests with the Prime Minister, and other senior candidates—including Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed—are also under consideration. Final selection will depend on comprehensive intelligence assessments, career track records, and operational capability.
Government and Political Backlash
The momentum for an immediate leadership change accelerated following sharp reactions from senior government and political figures.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed publicly distanced the administration from the police chief's statement, describing the mention of "crossfire" as inappropriate and reiterating the government’s firm zero-tolerance policy against extrajudicial actions.
Echoing these concerns, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, BNP Acting Secretary General and Political Adviser to the PM, termed the IGP’s remarks embarrassing for the government. Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman, Adviser for Information and Broadcasting, confirmed that the Prime Minister would personally assess the situation upon his return.
What Triggered the Crisis
The controversy stems from an event in Old Dhaka’s Chawkbazar on Monday, where IGP Ali Hossain Fakir remarked that the police force would not hesitate to resort to "crossfire" if given explicit permission by the government. He added that police were unfairly labeled as "fascist" when taking strong action and "weak" when exercising restraint.
As criticism mounted from human rights organizations and political quarters, Police Headquarters issued a clarification late Monday night, claiming the IGP used the term "crossfire" metaphorically to denote aggressive law enforcement against severe criminality, rather than extrajudicial killings. However, the clarification failed to stem the political fallout.
Key Profiles: The Contenders
Hasib Aziz (Chief, APBn)
- Career: Joined Bangladesh Police in 1995 (15th BCS). Served as Commandant of the Detective Training School (CID), Head of the Interpol Desk, and Commandant of the Tangail Police Training Centre. Appointed Commissioner of Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) in September 2024 before taking charge of APBn in March 2026.
- Background: Born in Shariatpur in 1971; son of former IGP and 2006 Caretaker Government Adviser M Azizul Haque.
Barrister Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain (Chief, CID)
- Career: Joined in 1995 (15th BCS). Served in field assignments as SP in Pirojpur and Chapainawabganj, alongside posts in the Police Academy, DMP, CMP, RAB, and Police Headquarters. Promoted to Additional IGP while on deputation as Director at the National Security Intelligence (NSI). Took charge as CID Chief on July 29, 2026.
- Education: Master’s degree in Economics from Islamic University, Kushtia, with advanced legal qualifications from the United Kingdom.
Md Ahsan Habib Palash (DG, SRB)
- Career: Joined in 1995 (15th BCS). Previously served as Deputy IGP for Chattogram Range, with extensive operational history across DMP, CMP, Sylhet Metropolitan Police, APBn, and the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI). Appointed DG of RAB in March 2026, before being named the first head of the newly created SRB in September 2026.
- Education & Training: Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Sociology from the University of Dhaka, with advanced international professional training in the US, UK, Australia, Vietnam, and Malaysia.