Police HQ dismisses concerns over IGP’s ‘crossfire’ remark

The Police Headquarters has explained the IGP’s remarks on “crossfires”, and dismissed concerns among some quarters, including the TIB, in this regard.

In a statement on Monday, the Police Headquarters said IGP Ali Hossain Fakir used the term “crossfire” only to highlight the police’s readiness to enforce law strictly in self-defence when coming under violent attacks by criminals – following a spate of bodily injuries inflicted on policemen by criminals this year.

The IGP did not mean to carry out extra-judicial killings or impose extra-judicial punishments, the statement read.

Police Headquarters has taken note of various news reports and headlines published in the media regarding remarks about “crossfire” made by Ali Hossain Fakir, at an event earlier in the morning.

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To clarify the matter and dispel public confusion, the police wish to state the following, it said in the statement:

In the first ten months of 2026, there have been 176 attacks on police while officers were maintaining law and order, arresting criminals, preventing illegal activities, and performing their official duties. Four police personnel have lost their lives and 370 have been seriously injured in these attacks. The country’s existing laws, particularly the right to self-defence under the Penal Code, 1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, and the Police Act, 1861, recognize the police’s right to self-defence.

In his remarks, the IGP expressed the police’s firm commitment to taking effective action against drug traffickers, terrorists, extortionists, and criminals who pose a threat to public safety. While emphasising the strictness of law enforcement in this context, he used the term “crossfire”. He did not use the term to refer to extrajudicial killings or to punishment outside the judicial process.

Confusion has also arisen over the IGP’s comments about journalists at the same event. In fact, he did not intend to make any sweeping remarks about journalists; the comments were made inadvertently.

Bangladesh Police remains committed to protecting the lives and property of the people, upholding human rights, and establishing the rule of law by performing its duties with professionalism and impartiality.