Inspector General of Police Ali Hossain Fakir faced widespread criticism from opposition parties, human rights organizations, and journalist groups over comments he made suggesting police could engage in "crossfire" operations if sanctioned by the government. The remarks, delivered during an event organized by Community Bank in Dhaka’s Chawkbazar area, prompted calls for an explanation, withdrawal of the statement, and an unconditional public apology.

Speaking earlier this week, the police chief emphasized that law enforcement would adhere to the constitution but added, “wherever crossfire is necessary, if the government allows it, we will do that.” He also suggested that journalists who were not receiving financial support from drug traffickers had portrayed the police as ineffective, asserting that officers had not violated human rights or used excessive force in maintaining law and order.

The remarks triggered an immediate backlash across political and civil society groups. Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair accused the IGP of overstepping his official duties. He cited past periods during the previous Awami League government’s tenure marked by alleged extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and suppression of free speech and suggested the comments hinted at a revival of such practices.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh Secretary General Gazi Ataur Rahman echoed these concerns, calling the comments “alarming” and inappropriate for someone in the police chief’s position. NCP lawmaker Hasnat Abdullah stated that the remarks harmed efforts to restore public trust in the police and maintained that such statements would not be tolerated in any civilized context.

Transparency International Bangladesh labeled the statement a dangerous signal that appeared to normalize extrajudicial killings instead of addressing deficiencies within the police system. Its Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman stressed that the police’s responsibility was to investigate professionally and present evidence in court, warning that resorting to “crossfire” suggested institutional weaknesses and posed risks of justifying unlawful force.

Human rights organizations Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) and the Human Rights Support Society condemned the remarks as inconsistent with constitutional and human rights principles, underscoring that no state agency holds the right to extrajudicial killing. ASK highlighted that the comments conflicted with the government’s assurances to end such practices, while the Human Rights Support Society criticized the association of extrajudicial kills with government approval as undermining justice and the right to life.

Odhikar, a rights group, stated that the comments effectively authorized extrajudicial killings and cited five alleged such incidents since the current government took office. Mayer Daak, representing families of enforced disappearance victims, urged immediate clarification and reaffirmation of the government’s commitment against extrajudicial actions, referencing the country’s troubling history on these issues.

Journalist organizations, including Dhaka Reporters Unity and the Crime Reporters Association of Bangladesh, condemned the IGP’s remarks concerning the media, demanding a public apology within 24 hours and warning of potential further actions.

In response to the mounting criticism, the Police Headquarters released a statement clarifying that the IGP’s use of “crossfire” was intended in a literal sense of using force against criminals such as drug traffickers and terrorists, and not as a reference to extrajudicial killings or unlawful punishment. The statement also described the comments about journalists as inadvertent rather than a general indictment of the media. It reaffirmed the police’s commitment to protecting human rights, upholding the rule of law, and conducting their duties professionally and impartially.