Bangladesh: According to local media reports, a dramatic increase in violence, including targeted killings and the widespread use of illegal firearms, has sparked growing fear among political parties and potential candidates nationwide as Bangladesh approaches its 13th parliamentary election in February.

According to reports, murders connected to personal conflicts, power struggles, and political competition have increased, raising worries about public safety.

According to figures from the Police headquarters, 3,509 individuals were slain in Bangladesh between January and November of last year, according to the country’s top newspaper, Dhaka Tribune.

Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), a rights organization located in Dhaka, found that 102 individuals died as a result of political violence last year, up from 45 in 2023.

The Human Rights Support Society (HRSS), another rights organization in Bangladesh, recorded 123 fatalities from political violence last year, an increase from 96 in 2023.

Concerns over security reappeared when radical Islamist leader Sharif Osman Hadi was killed. Hadi had declared his intention to run as an independent from the Dhaka-8 district, and political leaders and other influential people allegedly hired gunmen for protection.

According to local media sources, Bangladesh’s interim government agreed earlier on December 13 to launch the second phase of “Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2” nationwide, citing the necessity to stop subversive actions using illicit weapons before the elections in February 2026.

According to statistics from police headquarters, within the first 24 days of the operation, 218 guns were found and 15,009 persons were detained.

Jatiyatabadi Swechasebak Dal, a leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) volunteer wing, was shot dead by gunmen in Dhaka on January 7 during the ongoing Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2.

According to reports, Azizur Rahman Mosabbir, a joint convener of the Swechasebak Dal’s Dhaka North unit, was drinking tea with a party colleague at a stand near the Bashundhara City Shopping Mall in the Karwan Bazar neighborhood when several attackers came on motorbikes, fired randomly, and then left.

The murders of Hadi and Musabbir have left voters and candidates worried about their safety, according to Saiful Haque, general secretary of the Revolutionary Workers Party from the Dhaka-12 seat and a candidate supported by the BNP, who spoke to the Dhaka Tribune.

“The anticipated level of protection cannot be provided by the government or the Election Commission. This has to be resolved. The state of law and order has to improve in order to guarantee a successful and fair election. If not, such murders would persist,” Haque said.

In response to a question about steps to reduce target murders before the election, Bangladesh’s Inspector General of Police (IGP), Baharul Alam, said that it is very challenging to stop violent crimes.

“All types of crime are being suppressed by police.” The top police officer was reported by the Dhaka Tribune as stating, “Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2 is ongoing to maintain law and order before the election.”

Since the Muhammad Yunus-led interim administration took office, Bangladesh has seen an increase in violence and a worsening state of law and order.