Dhaka – The government has announced financial rewards up to 200,000 takas for information leading to the recovery of looted and illegal firearms.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed made the announcement on Saturday while addressing the quarterly review of the crime situation at a conference held at Dhaka’s police lines. The review meeting was arranged by Police Headquarters.
The minister said those who provide information that helps recover heavy weapons will receive up to 200,000 takas. Information leading to the recovery of small arms such as pistols, revolvers or shotguns will be rewarded with 50,000 takas, he added.
This is the second announcement of rewards for the recovery of missing arms, which were reportedly looted during the political turmoil that ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024 in the face of a mass uprising.
Media reports at the time suggested some 3,000 firearms were looted from government establishments, including the Gonobhaban, the official residence of the former prime minister, as well as police stations and prisons across the country. A portion of the looted arms have been recovered, while a large number remain missing.
The interim administration headed by Muhammad Yunus had previously announced rewards for information on looted firearms in August last year. At that time, then Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury made the announcement on August 25, 2025.
On Saturday, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said the government has intensified drives to recover looted and illegal weapons by forming a special unit with coordination among various intelligence agencies.
He added that informants could receive Tk 10,000, Tk 15,000 or Tk 20,000, depending on the type of recovered items, including sound grenades, looted tear-gas shells and other stolen weapons.
“The identity of informants will be kept strictly confidential,” he assured.
He also said firearms whose licences have been cancelled or not renewed within the stipulated deadline have already been treated as illegal. He instructed authorities to file cases against the holders of those firearms. Operations to recover those weapons are continuing, he added.
The minister said law enforcement agencies had been given specific deadlines to take effective action against terrorists, extortionists and drug dealers.
“Officials who fail to demonstrate the expected progress within the stipulated timeframe will face strict legal and administrative action,” he warned.
He said coordinated strategic operations were also underway across the country, with support from intelligence agencies, to prevent illegal arms trafficking, drug dealing, smuggling and extortion.
The government was pursuing regular strategic plans to improve law and order and transform the police into a more people-friendly institution, thereby enhancing its image, he added.
Inspector General of Police Md Ali Hossain Fakir chaired the conference. Senior Home Secretary Manzur Morshed Chowdhury attended as special guest, while Additional IGP (Crime and Operations) Khondoker Rafiqul Islam delivered the welcome address. Additional IGP (Administration) AKM Awlad Hossain was also present.
