278 held by joint forces in a week

Joint forces arrested 278 suspected criminals in raids carried out across the country between January 16 and January 22, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a release issued yesterday.

The Bangladesh Army, alongside other law enforcement agencies, conducted the operations in Dhaka and other areas as part of efforts to keep the overall law and order situation under control, the release said.

Those arrested include suspected terrorists, drug traders, drug users, members of robber gangs, juvenile gangs, and smugglers, according to the ISPR.

During the drives, joint teams recovered 22 illegal firearms, 822 rounds of different types of ammunition, seven cocktails, locally-made weapons, and drugs from the arrestees.

The release said the detainees were handed over to local police stations for interrogation and completion of legal procedures.

The army is also conducting regular patrols and security operations in different regions to ensure public safety, the ISPR said, adding that troops have been performing duties appropriately to bring unrest under control in industrial zones. 

The ISPR also urged the public to inform the nearest army camp if they notice any suspicious or unusual activity.