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A total of 529 individuals were arrested around the country as part of the ongoing ‘Operation Devil Hunt’ in 24 hours till 8 am on Monday morning, according to sources at the police headquarters.
In addition, 974 others were arrested in connection with various warrants and ongoing cases during the same period in countrywide drives conducted by local police.
Army-led joint forces started a countrywide special operation under the code name ‘Operation Devil Hunt’ on February 9.
In their latest update till Monday morning, the Joint Forces also recovered a range of weapons and materials, including one pistol, one country-made shooter gun, four knives, and one toy pistol in the preceding 24 hours.
Launched on the night of February 9, ‘Operation Devil Hunt’ is ostensibly aimed at curbing unrest and ensuring public safety across the country. However, the operation appears to have a specific focus on supporters and activists of the Awami League, which led the last government before it was brought down in a people’s uprising in the summer of 2024.
The party’s student wing, the Chhatra League, is already banned, with former members figuring heavily in the arrests.
The operation followed an attack on students and civilians in Gazipur on February 7 night, an area known to be a stronghold of the Awami League. In February 9, Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury stated that the nationwide crackdown would continue until the “devils” are eradicated.
“The operation will target those who are desperate to destabilise the country,” he warned.