Government weighs replacing IGP amid ‘crossfire’ row, considers three officers

Senior government figures are discussing a new appointment to the top police post amid controversy over Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Ali Hossain Fakir’s remarks on ‘crossfire’, sources familiar with the matter said. Three senior police officers from the 15th BCS batch are under consideration, but no final decision has been made.

According to the sources, the Prime Minister’s Office has sought records of the three officers’ personal and professional backgrounds. They are Armed Police Battalion (APBn) chief Additional IGP Hasib Aziz, Criminal Investigation Department (CID) chief Additional IGP Barrister Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain, and Special Response Battalion (SRB) Director General Additional IGP Md Ahsan Habib Palash.

Sources linked to the Prime Minister’s Office said a decision on a possible change in police leadership could come after Prime Minister Tarique Rahman returns home on Thursday following his visit to Japan. The appointment, however, depends on the head of government’s decision. Someone other than the officers currently under discussion could also emerge as a candidate.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed’s name is also being discussed, the sources said. A decision may follow a review of the officers’ past work, professional capabilities and intelligence reports.

Government and political reactions

At an event in Chawkbazar in Old Dhaka last Monday, IGP Ali Hossain Fakir said police would resort to ‘crossfire’ if necessary, with the government’s permission. His remarks drew criticism from political parties and human rights organisations.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said the IGP’s remarks were inappropriate. He said the government maintained a ‘zero tolerance’ stance on extrajudicial killings.

BNP Acting Secretary General and the prime minister’s political adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi described the comment as embarrassing for the government. Meanwhile, the prime minister’s adviser on information and broadcasting, Zahed Ur Rahman, said the prime minister would consider the matter after returning home.

Following the criticism, Police Headquarters issued a clarification, claiming that the IGP had not used the word ‘crossfire’ to mean extrajudicial killings or punishment outside the judicial process. It said he had used the term figuratively to refer to strict enforcement of the law against criminals.

The officers under consideration

APBn chief Hasib Aziz is an officer of the 15th BCS police cadre. He joined the police in 1995. After taking charge as Chattogram Metropolitan Police commissioner in September 2024, he was appointed APBn chief in March 2026. He previously served in various posts, including commandant of the Detective Training School. Hasib Aziz is the son of former IGP M Azizul Haque.

CID chief Barrister Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain also joined the police in 1995. He took charge as CID chief on July 29, 2026. His previous posts include director at National Security Intelligence and superintendent of police in Pirojpur and Chapainawabganj. After earning a master’s degree in economics from Islamic University, he pursued higher studies in law in the United Kingdom.

Additional IGP Md Ahsan Habib Palash is the first director general of the newly formed SRB. An officer of the same batch, he joined the police in 1995. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in sociology from the University of Dhaka. Before taking charge of the SRB, he served in various posts, including director general of the Rapid Action Battalion and deputy inspector general of the Chattogram Range.