Illegal Arms Smuggling from India Raises Security Concerns Ahead of Bangladesh Election

Ahead of Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election, security concerns have escalated in Jessore as illegal firearms and explosives are being smuggled across multiple border points from India. Law enforcement officials warn that these weapons are increasingly being used to exert political influence and target opponents, raising alarm among local voters.

Over the past two months, four major arms shipments have been intercepted along the Jessore border. According to reports, 62 murders have occurred in the border area over the past year, with a majority involving foreign-made pistols. Voters have expressed fear, stating that without seizure of illicit weapons and arrests of criminals, they may hesitate to visit polling stations.

Jessore district spans approximately 240 kilometers along the Indian border, covering Sharsha, Chowgacha, and Jhikargacha upazilas. The terrain—including rivers, dense forests, and flat land—combined with incomplete fencing, has made smuggling easier. Authorities report that illegal goods, including arms, enter Bangladesh through 11 main border routes, with notable points at Chowgacha, Jhikargacha, Sharsha, Shahjadpur, Hijla, Putkhali, Andulia, Mandartala, and Benapol.

Recent seizures include two foreign pistols, a magazine, and two rounds of ammunition recovered by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) at the Benapol border on the morning of February 9. On January 30, a major haul was confiscated in Bagharpara’s Dhalgram Union, including 10 grenades, three foreign pistols, 19 rounds of ammunition, and multiple knives and machetes. Additional seizures in early February included airguns, gas pistols, triggers, and other firearm components, alongside arrests of four individuals in possession of US-made pistols and ammunition.

Local voters, including Rahman from Benapol, noted that Jessore is the primary entry point for illegal small arms into Bangladesh. Although only a fraction of smuggled weapons are intercepted, the remaining arms create insecurity in local communities. Many smugglers reportedly operate with political protection, displaying firearms openly and committing covert killings, heightening public fear ahead of elections.

Human rights organizations, such as Rights Jessore, emphasize the urgent need to seize illegal weapons and arrest criminals to ensure a safe and festive election environment. Meanwhile, the BGB has intensified surveillance along the border. Lieutenant Colonel Saifullah Siddiqui, commander of the Jessore battalion, confirmed that patrols and operations are ongoing to prevent weapons from entering the country. Over 37,000 BGB personnel are deployed along Bangladesh’s 4,427-kilometer border to safeguard the elections, with authorities assuring that any smuggled arms will be intercepted before reaching interior regions.

Officials stress that public cooperation with law enforcement will be critical to maintaining security and ensuring a safe voting process for citizens across the district.