Bangladesh’s Security Affairs Advisor Lt Gen (Retd) Jahangir Alam Choudhury has dismissed rumours that Local Government Advisor Asif Mahmud possessed an AK-47 license, clarifying that the item found in his possession was merely an empty pistol magazine left behind by mistake.
Speaking after a law and order core committee meeting at the Ministry of Home Affairs on Monday, Choudhury stated, “Some are claiming he was licensed to own an AK-47. That’s simply not true. It was just an empty magazine for his licensed pistol, left behind unintentionally.”
When asked whether Mahmud, reportedly under 30, met the legal age for firearm ownership, Choudhury declined to comment, stating he had not reviewed that law.
Concerns were also raised about airport security after the magazine passed undetected through two scanning checks before being discovered on the third. Choudhury acknowledged that influential individuals sometimes receive unintended privileges and stressed the need for laws to apply equally to everyone.
Addressing broader security issues, Choudhury said preparations were underway to ensure peaceful nationwide events from July 1 to August 5, including programs commemorating the 1975 mass uprising. He praised law enforcement for swift actions in recent incidents in Muradnagar, Cumilla, and Patuakhali, noting that suspects had been arrested promptly.
Choudhury concluded by reaffirming that security forces remain fully prepared to ensure peaceful and safe participation in all upcoming national programs.
