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Operation Devil Hunt
Nationwide joint forces operation in Bangladesh From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Operation Devil Hunt (Bengali: অপারেশন ডেভিল হান্ট) is an ongoing operation launched by the Yunus interim government since 8 February 2025 following protests over a violent attack on students and civilians in Gazipur on 7 February.[2][3][4][5] The operation hunts down supporters of Sheikh Hasina.[6][7][8]
 | This article needs to be updated. (July 2025) |
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On February 8, 2025, at 1:30 PM[9][10] (BST; 7:30 AM UTC), the Dhirashram area of Gazipur District would erupt in protests led by the Anti-discrimination Students Movement over the beatings of at least 20 students[10] last night by people that are alleged to have connections to the Awami League.
At around 4:00 PM (BST; 10:00 AM UTC), the government would launch the nationwide "Operation Devil Hunt" in compliance with the protesters.[11] At around 6:00 PM (BST; 12:00 PM UTC), Sarjis Alam would be informed that so far 16 individuals had been arrested,[12] Alam would then give a speech threatening the government with a second revolution if they attack the protesters[12] and that if the government fails to arrest the perpetrators by night, then they will have to face the protesters once more.[12]
Anti-discrimination Students Movement launched an attack on the house of AKM Mozammel Haque, former Minister of Liberation War Affairs in the cabinet of Sheikh Hasina, as a part of the Bulldozer March.[13][14] During this demonstration, a person at a local mosque announced people were attacking the former Minister's home, leading locals to counter-attack the demonstrators, causing 15 to be injured,[13] and one of them later died in hospital.[15] It was part of a wave of attacks targeting homes of Awami League leaders, while chanting "Delhi or Dhaka — Dhaka, Dhaka" and slogans against Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's cult of personality.[16] The home of former President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Dhanmondi 32 no. residence, was destroyed and the personal home of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Sudha Sadan, was burned down.[17][18] The home of former Minister Zahid Ahsan Russel, along with the homes of his family members associated with the Awami League were also attacked by protesters in Gazipur. A mural of Ahsanullah Master, Zahid's father, was also destroyed during this attack.[19]
The Jatiya Nagorik Committee and the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement gave 24 hours to detain those who attacked the students at home of Haque.[20] They demanded the cancellation of the registration of Awami League and confiscation of the properties of its leaders.[20] The training secretary of Gazipur Metropolitan unit of Islami Chhatra Shibir, Haider Ali, called for the detention of the attackers as well.[20] They called for removing the Adviser of the Ministry of Home Affairs, and civil and police officers in Gazipur District.[21] Lt. Gen. (retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, adviser of the Ministry of Home Affairs, said, "No one involved in the attack on the students will be spared. We are taking legal action against them. All responsible for the attack will be exposed to justice," at the Dhaka Medical College and Hospital while visiting the injured.[22] The office-in-charge of the local police station was suspended, and the commissioner of Gazipur Metropolitan Police, Nazmul Karim Khan, offered his apology.[23]
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Operation
On 9 February, 83 people, including Awami League politicians and members, were detained in the Gazipur District.[24] In total, 1,308 people were arrested across Bangladesh.[25] 343 more people were arrested from various parts of Bangladesh the following day.[26] 607 people were detained on the third day, taking a total number of detainees to more than two thousand.[27] A total of 11,313 people were arrested in the ongoing operation in February.[1]
By March, more than 12 thousand people were detained across Bangladesh.[28]
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The Jatiya Party (E) accused that the operation was a "suppression of dissent" and alleged that their leaders were being charged on false charges while their homes were being attacked and destroyed.[29]
Since the interim Yunus government took charge, over 4.2 lakh individuals have been arrested, with 75,000 currently in prison.[30] While authorities claim the ongoing combing operation aims to “root out crime and restore public order,” concerns have emerged over the arbitrary nature of many arrests[31].
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed a case on February 20 against Professor Abul Barkat and 22 others for allegedly facilitating unlawful loans to AnonTex Group entities, involving claims of document forgery and financial misconduct.[32] The case also names former Bangladesh Bank Governor Atiur Rahman. [33]While the ACC alleges large-scale embezzlement and unethical practices, Barkat is widely recognized for his academic work on anti-money laundering, counter-terror financing, and minority rights[34]—particularly documenting the economic roots of Hindu suppression in Bangladesh—raising concerns about the potential political context of the charges[35].
Rights groups and observers allege that due process is often bypassed, with individuals detained without proper validation or clear charges. This raises serious questions about the government’s commitment to legal safeguards and civil liberties.[36]
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