All troops withdrawn over Chuadanga BNP leader's death in custody

All army personnel involved in a joint operation in Chuadanga’s Jibannagar upazila have been withdrawn following the death of a local BNP leader while in custody, the Inter-Services Public Relations said on Tuesday.

In a statement, ISPR said a high-level investigation committee has been formed to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the incident and to recommend appropriate action.

According to the military’s account, the joint force carried out a special operation around 11:00pm on Monday in Jibannagar, acting on intelligence inputs. 

During the operation, Shamsuzzaman Dablu, 50, general secretary of the Chuadanga municipality BNP unit, was detained from a pharmacy near Jibannagar Upazila Health Complex on suspicion of possessing illegal firearms.

ISPR said a search of the pharmacy led to the recovery of a 9mm pistol, a magazine and four rounds of ammunition. During the operation, Dablu reportedly became unwell and lost consciousness. He was immediately taken to the nearby upazila health complex, where the on-duty physician declared him dead at around 12:25am.

Describing the incident as “regrettable and unacceptable,” ISPR said all army personnel connected to the operation, including the camp commander, have already been withdrawn from the area. 

The investigation committee has been tasked with determining the cause of death and identifying any responsibility.

The military said legal action would be taken under military law against anyone found to be at fault following the inquiry.