Unlicensed Firearms Fuel Teen Gang Violence in Khulna, with Open Gunfire Raising Fears of More Deaths

Armed men and extortionists hold the whole of Khulna hostage. Both the ruling party and the opposition want an end to this siege, in Parliament and outside it. Yet law and order is not improving. Worry is rising in the Khulna region over the use of firearms, and nobody is watching. Allegations of firearms in open firing, armed attacks, killings, robberies and threats are making the law and order situation more complex.

Illegal weapons are entering Khulna easily through border districts and smuggling routes. They change hands and reach teen gangs and young criminals. Cheap weapons and a culture of easily escaping punishment after a crime have made criminals more reckless. In daylight or at night, the clang of weapons disturbs the sleep of Khulna residents. Parents are worried about their children’s safety. In many areas, ordinary people limit their movement after dark.

Senior journalist and Professor Mr. Abdul Kader Khan has voiced worry and anger over these matters. He suggested a movement under the banner of civic unity at any time. Under public pressure, the ruling party whip MP and the City Corporation administrator have now spoken against the criminals, though late. In the National Parliament, opposition MP Mr. Helal Uddin (Khulna Sadar) asked the Prime Minister and the Home Minister to step in to save the people of Khulna.

According to sources, at least 75 murders took place in Khulna metropolitan area and district from January to the start of November this year, 2026. A large share of them came directly from gunshots. Several shocking cases of open firing took place in October alone. On 22 October, two people were shot dead in the open in the same area of the city within just 14 hours. Recently, several people, including a Jubo Dal leader, were shot.

Police, RAB and the joint forces are running special drives to control the situation. Up to September this year, forces recovered 50 firearms from the KMP area. They include 30 foreign pistols and seven revolvers. They also recovered 233 rounds of bullets. Several armed shooters of the Noor Azim and Ashik gangs were arrested recently. But the main godfathers remain out of reach, so crime is not slowing. Most of the recovered illegal weapons come into the country by smuggling over border routes, especially from India. A large share of weapons looted from various police stations during the political change of 2024 also remains with bad actors.

According to intelligence and police information, at least 9 genuine criminal gangs are active in Khulna city and nearby areas. Law enforcers estimate that these gangs control more than 300 illegal firearms. The notable gangs are the Nawab or Babu group, the Noor Azim group and the Ashik group. The criminal gangs use these deadly weapons mainly to hold control over the drug trade, illegal land grabbing and extortion. In many cases, drug dealers get motorcycles, monthly pay and weapons directly. Groups often fight open gun battles and set off cocktail blasts over local and political dominance.

Khulna Detective Branch (DB) Deputy Police Commissioner Mr. Mohammad Ahaduzzaman Mia said police recently arrested six active members of the notorious “Noor Azim Bahini” from Tutpara and other areas of Khulna. They had foreign pistols, magazines and bullets. He said regular joint and special drives continue in Khulna to wipe out drugs and illegal weapons and to ensure public safety.

Crime analysts say recovering weapons alone will not stop the spread of illegal arms. Authorities must identify the sources, suppliers, buyers, hoarders and users of weapons. They must also break the networks of criminal gangs involved in collecting and supplying weapons. For this, they say intelligence monitoring, searches at borders and entry points, gathering information on suspected arms dealers and quick investigation of arms cases need more focus.

Civil society representatives and ordinary citizens say Khulna is an important commercial and industrial city of the south west. Mongla Port, industrial areas, businesses, schools and many economic activities make security and stability here very important. If the use of illegal weapons grows, they fear it will hurt not only law and order but also economic activity and the investment climate. They say the extreme fear of Khulna residents cannot end unless authorities bring criminals under the law and fully close the main arms supply chain, or smuggling routes.