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range of areas -- from crime prevention to intelligence gathering to inter-agency coordination,” said the official.

Recovery of illegal firearms and enhancement of border security are also on the priority list.

The move comes at a time when law enforcement agencies are grappling with a wave of violent incidents across the country.

Recent killings linked to local criminal networks, rising muggings on city streets, attacks on law enforcers during drives, and incidents of mob violence have fostered a climate of insecurity.

Between September 2024 and May this year, at least 597 murder cases were filed with police stations in the Dhaka metropolitan area. Of those, 11 were linked to turf wars among criminal gangs. Four of the dead were top-listed criminals, showPHQ data.

After assuming power in February, the BNP government said that improving law and order was its top priority. However, the situation has yet to improve to the expected level after three months.

PHQ data show that 915 murder cases were recorded countrywide in the last three months. During the same period in 2025, the number of such cases was 993, which included 226 cases filed over past incidents.

On June 12, top criminal Yeasin Khan, alias Kailla Palash, was shot in broad daylight in the capital’s Rampura area. He later died from his wounds. Two individuals have been arrested but the shooter remains at large.

Earlier, another top criminal, Khandokar Nayeem Ahmed Titon, was killed by armed assailants near Dhaka University’s Shahnewaz Hostel on April 28. Investigators are still clueless about the motive even one and a half months after the killing. No arrests have been made yet.

When contacted, Additional Inspector General (AIG) Khandaker Rafiqul Islam said that they held a meeting to review key challenges and discuss capacity enhancement.

“We are working to prepare a set of recommendations for enhancing professionalism,” he said, adding that upon finalisation, the proposals would be submitted to higher authorities.

However, he declined to comment on the activities of the subcommittees.

SUBCOMMITTEES

A seven-member subcommittee, led by DIG Abu Sufian of the Crime Management Division at the PHQ, is reviewing the overall law and order situation across the country. It will assess crime trends, organised crime networks, and gang activities, according to sources. It held its first meeting on June 22.

Another subcommittee has been tasked with developing proposals to increase manpower and strengthen operational capacity for improved crime control and public safety.

To address the growing threat of cybercrimes, fraud, and online harassment, a subcommittee, headed by the DIG of the CID Cyber Police Centre, has been formed.

It will make recommendations regarding specialised forensic tests and the enhancement of technological capacity to investigate cyber-related offences and financial crimes.

Seeking anonymity, one of its members told this correspondent that they are now working in full swing.

A five-member committee has been tasked with developing an instant response mechanism and early warning system to deal with political violence, extremism, and sudden deterioration in law and order.

Besides, a six-member committee has been formed to determine ways of improving service delivery through digital transformation. It will make recommendations on smart tracking systems, body-worn cameras, online general diaries, and other technology-driven policing tools.

Another committee will devise a strategy to recover illegal firearms, combat drug and human trafficking, and strengthen border security.

The PHQ also set up two additional committees -- one focused on designing a modern training framework with an emphasis on human rights, accountability, and ethics, and the other aimed at expanding community policing to improve cooperation between law enforcement agencies, local representatives, and citizens.

Meanwhile, the Special Branch of police has been assigned to design mechanisms to improve coordination among different units and agencies.

It will also propose ways to strengthen the intelligence network and information-sharing structure.

Talking to this newspaper, former IGP Asraful Huda said that law enforcement agencies need to regularly review policing strategies and assess how their operations can be made more effective.

“It is a continuous process. There is always a need to see how our activities can be further strengthened and made more effective.

“Since there have been some concerns regarding law and order recently, there is certainly a need to review these issues again,” he said, adding that the latest move is a timely initiative given the current circumstances.