Ishraque Hossain, the state minister for liberation war affairs and a BNP lawmaker for Dhaka-6, led an anti-drug operation in the capital's Gendaria area while carrying a pistol, an episode that has set off a public argument about what a firearms licence permits in Bangladesh.

In a video posted on his verified Facebook page under the caption "Ishraque's Action", the minister is seen stepping out of a car with a pistol in one hand and a microphone in the other, then chasing several people. Those accompanying him caught some of the men, while others ran away. The operation targeted a slum beside the railway line in Ward 45, under Gendaria police station, and six people were detained on suspicion of drug dealing.

"Drug dealers will not be spared, whichever party they belong to," Ishraque said during the operation, adding that anyone from his own party found involved in the trade would face heavier punishment. He told residents he had gathered information through intelligence sources for six months, and that the drive, which began in his constituency, would be extended across the country.

Gendaria police station officer-in-charge Moniruzzaman Monir said the minister detained six people and called the station, after which police took them into custody. A white powder-like substance was found on the detainees and laboratory tests would determine whether it was heroin, the officer said.

The video has focused attention on the Firearms Licence Issuance, Renewal and Use Policy, 2025, issued by the Home Ministry on 10 July last year. Section 25 says a licensed firearm may be carried for self-defence but may not be displayed in a way that causes fear or annoyance, and may not be openly displayed except by uniformed guards of a financial or other institution. A breach makes the licence liable to cancellation. The rules do not specifically mention raids or arrests, which are conducted by police and other agencies under narcotics and criminal procedure laws.

Former inspector general of police Muhammad Nurul Huda told Dhaka Tribune that the state minister could have chosen not to take part, but that there was no harm in his going either. Licensed firearms were issued precisely to deter enemies and protect the holder, he said, and in his view no law had been violated. He added that the deputy commissioner, officers-in-charge and assistant commissioners responsible for the area should have taken charge of the operation.

The debate has also played out inside the ruling party. Rashed Khan, a political assistant to the prime minister, wrote on social media that Ishraque was a young, rising leader and that his firm stand against drugs was praiseworthy, while acknowledging the criticism over his drawing a licensed pistol to defend himself from a possible attack. He hoped the minister would take the criticism in good spirit, noting that drug traders often do not spare public representatives, police or officials, and citing an incident in Gazipur weeks earlier in which, he said, drug traders attacked police with stones and snatched a suspect.