Colonel Md. Shafiqul Islam of the Military Operations Directorate (Staff Colonel) said the Bangladesh Army is committed to maintaining overall law and order and protecting the sovereignty of the country by standing by the people of the country.

"The army is always committed to ensuring the security and alleviation of the suffering of the general people," he said while reading out a written statement at a press conference at Dhaka Cantonment today.

Colonel Md. Shafiqul Islam said following the directions of the army chief, army personnel in 62 districts of the country, including the Char areas, are actively performing their duties round-the-clock to maintain law and order through coordinated efforts with the relevant ministries of the interim government, law enforcement agencies, local administration, media and the general public.

In the current situation of the country, he said, the Bangladesh Army is working relentlessly to protect the sovereignty of the country, provide security to the lives and property of the people of the country and important state assets and installations, including maintaining stability in the overall situation.

He also said the army will take strict action against activities that can cause damage to life and property, mob violence and public suffering.

In response to a question , he said that the army has not yet received any official instructions from the government regarding the performance of duties in the upcoming national elections. However, the army will perform its electoral duties as per the government's instructions, he mentioned.

Shafiqul Islam said the army has taken strict action against mob violence or any situation that causes public suffering.

"We have reduced mob violence to a large extent. The army's timely presence at the scene of the mob violence in Rangpur made it possible to bring the situation under control," he added.

He said during Eid-ul-Azha, army members patrolled important bus and launch terminals and railway stations round the clock. Check-posts have been set up at sensitive places to control the speed of buses.

Along with male officers, female officers and soldiers have taken to the roads and performed their assigned duties during Eid without any hesitation, he added.

"During the Eid journey, we were able to return Taka 35,26,233 to the passengers from 1255 vehicles charged as extra fair. All this has been possible due to the sincerity, honesty and hard work of the army," he said.

When asked about the beating of a person while selling the national flag, Shafiqul said, "It was an international football match. Whatever was needed to be done to ensure security was done there. It is a sad and isolated incident. However, later we called the flag seller and expressed our condolences. In addition, he was given Taka one lakh so that he can continue his business successfully."

When asked about the army's reaction to the push-in from the India-Myanmar border, Shafiqul said the BGB and Coast Guard remain alert and vigilant in this regard as they have increased patrols in the border areas.

He said the number of permanent and temporary camps has been increased in those places. In addition, intelligence surveillance has also been increased.

The army officer also  said the army has recently arrested many top terrorists. Operational activities will continue to arrest top terrorists.

In the operation to arrest identified terrorists and recover weapons and ammunition, the army has recovered 56 illegal weapons and 990 rounds of ammunition in the past three weeks and a total of 9,667 illegal weapons and 286,754 rounds of ammunition since August, he said.

In addition, the army has arrested 996 people involved in various types of crimes and a total of 15,262 people so far, said Shafiqul. Among them are juvenile gangs, listed criminals, robbers and other criminals.

The army conducted a special operation on May 27 and arrested top-listed terrorist Subrata Bain alias Fateh Ali and his close associate Mullah Masud alias Abu Russell Masud from Kushtia district, he mentioned.

Later, based on information received from them, the army arrested Subrata Bain's other two associates, shooters Arafat and Sharif, from Hatirjheel area along with 5 sophisticated foreign pistols, 10 magazines, 53 rounds of ammunition and 1 satellite phone, he said, adding that Subrata Bain and Mullah Masud are the leaders of the Seven Star terrorist group and are among the 23 top-listed terrorists.

Also, on the same day, another special operation was conducted in the Mohammadpur area in the capital and three others, including the notorious terrorist Farid Ahmed Babu alias Excel Babu, were arrested from the Buriganga Filling Station area.

There are multiple cases against the arrested persons in various police stations of the capital on serious charges such as murder, kidnapping, extortion and land grabbing, he said. As a result of the operation, there is relief and security among the local people, he mentioned.

On June 4, the army arrested listed terrorist Bunia Sohel along with 10 associates from the Mohammadpur Geneva Camp area.  More than 30 cases against the arrested Bunia Sohel. During this time, they participated in various operations including recovering cash, various types of sharp country-made weapons and drugs from them, he added.