# Bangladesh minister firearm controversy and resignation

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/bangladesh-minister-firearm-controversy-and-resignation
> Updated: 2026-10-19T09:10:57.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2.

Bangladesh State Minister for Liberation War Affairs, Ishraque Hossain, faced public scrutiny after video footage showed him carrying a handgun during an anti-narcotics operation in a Dhaka slum near Gandaria Railway Station. Hossain defended the use of a firearm as a measure for self-defence, describing the raid as a coordinated social resistance initiative involving community leaders to combat drug syndicates.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police noted they had not been notified of the operation in advance. Following the domestic and international debate sparked by the incident, Hossain resigned from his position. In a press conference at the National Press Club, he stated his resignation was intended to prevent the situation from becoming “embarrassing” for the government, though he maintained he had committed no wrongdoing. He expressed his intent to continue anti-drug activism as a BNP member rather than a government official.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-19: Ishraq Hossain resigns as State Minister for Liberation War Affairs

Ishraq Hossain has resigned as Bangladesh's State Minister for Liberation War Affairs following controversy over his use of a firearm during an anti-drug operation in Gendaria.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ishraq-hossain-resigns-as-state-minister-for-liberation-war-affairs

### 2026-10-18: Minister Ishraque Hossain defends carrying firearm during Dhaka drug raid

Bangladesh State Minister Ishraque Hossain defended carrying a pistol during a drug raid in Dhaka, citing self-defence after a video of the operation went viral.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/minister-ishraque-hossain-defends-carrying-firearm-during-dhaka-drug-raid

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Cite as: Bangladesh minister firearm controversy and resignation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/bangladesh-minister-firearm-controversy-and-resignation