200 held in joint operations - Says ISPR

A total of 200 people were arrested across the country during joint force operations over seven days between May 8 and May 14, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement yesterday.

In coordination with other law enforcement agencies, Bangladesh Army carried out operations in Dhaka and other parts of the country as part of efforts to maintain law and order situation.

Among those arrested were murder suspects, illegal arms holders, listed criminals, smugglers, members of juvenile gangs, illegal sand extractors, tree cutters, drug dealers and addicts, and brokers involved in illicit activities, the release said.

Ten illegal firearms, 87 rounds of ammunition, 11 bombs, narcotics, locally made weapons, stolen mobile phones and passports, smuggled sugar and spices, unauthorised medicines, and cash were recovered during the operations.

They were handed over to local police stations for interrogation and legal proceedings. The army has also been conducting regular patrols across the country to ensure public safety. In industrial areas, its presence has played a key role in calming worker unrest, the ISPR said.