No formal decision on joint operations, says Home minister

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed is speaking at a press briefing after unveiling the foundation plaque for the new headquarters of Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Force (VDF) at Tejgaon in Dhaka on 1 October 2026. Photo: Collected

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Thursday said no formal decision has been taken to launch joint operations in the country, as coordinated activities by police, BGB, RAB and Ansar are a regular process to curb terrorism, extortion and drug trafficking.

“These coordinated activities are conducted regularly and will be intensified in the future,” he said while speaking at a press briefing after unveiling the foundation plaque for the new headquarters of Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Force (VDF) at Tejgaon in Dhaka this morning.

He said 3.428 acres of land has been allocated by the Public Works Ministry for construction of a modern Ansar headquarters, meeting the force’s long-standing demand for a permanent facility.

The new complex will address space constraints at the existing Khilgaon headquarters and improve transport facilities, he said.

Salahuddin said the country currently has around 20,000 battalion Ansar and 60,000 integrated Ansar members, while nearly six million trained personnel are organised under 35,000 VDF team leaders.

He said additional accommodation facilities, including dormitories and barracks, were being developed in Ashulia and Sher-e-Bangla Nagar for centrally deployed Ansar members.

The minister praised Ansar for its role in maintaining law and order during the July mass uprising and other national crises, and reiterated the government’s commitment to meeting its demands in phases.

He said disciplinary and legal action, including criminal cases, was being taken against law enforcement personnel found guilty of negligence or criminal activities.

“December is our month of victory; no evil force will be able to create any kind of instability in the country this month,” he said.

On Dhaka’s traffic situation, the minister said automation and artificial intelligence were being used to improve traffic management and process cases automatically.

He also said road excavation and construction would be carried out in sections, with roads restored immediately after completion, to reduce traffic congestion.|