Bangladesh Detains 663 in 24 Hours as ‘Operation Devil Hunt’ Phase-2 Intensifies

Critics warn the campaign functions as a political crackdown that threatens an inclusive vote.

Overview

Police say 663 people were arrested nationwide in the past 24 hours under the second phase of the operation, with nine firearms recovered.
Authorities report searches of roughly 26,881 motorcycles and 26,573 vehicles, leading to the seizure of 342 illegal motorcycles.
Phase-2 was launched on December 13 to curb subversive activity before the February 2026 elections following a high-level law‑and‑order meeting after the shooting of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi.
Opposition figures and rights groups allege many detainees are linked to the Awami League, citing earlier counts of 11,313 arrests in February and more than 4,200 arrests reported last week.
A group of US lawmakers urged the interim government to ensure inclusive, free and fair elections, as separate unrest included the lynching of garment worker Dipu Das, with officials pledging support to his family and reporting 12 arrests.