Discussions in the government has begun on appointing a new inspector general of police (IGP) following controversial remarks by incumbent police chief Md Ali Hossain Fakir about “crossfire”, with three officers from his 15th BCS batch being considered for the top post.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has sought files containing the personal and professional details of the three senior officers.
They are Additional IGP Hasib Aziz, chief of the Armed Police Battalion (APBn); Additional IGP Barrister Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain, chief of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID); and Additional IGP Md Ahsan Habib Palash, director general (DG) of the Special Response Battalion (SRB).
All three officers were reportedly deprived of promotions and other benefits during the Awami League regime.
Sources at the PMO said a decision on the IGP post, including a possible change in leadership, could come after Prime Minister Tarique Rahman returns home on Thursday following his visit to Japan.
The appointment ultimately depends on the head of government’s decision, and another candidate could also emerge, sources said.
The name of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed is also being discussed, according to sources. The decision will depend on intelligence reports, past activities of the officers, and their ability to discharge the responsibilities of the post.
The IGP’s remarks triggered reactions at political and government levels yesterday. Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, the BNP acting secretary general and the PM’s political adviser, described the comments as embarrassing for the government.
PM Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman said the prime minister would consider the matter after returning to the country.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said the IGP’s remarks on crossfire were inappropriate and that the government maintained a zero-tolerance policy on the issue.
The discussion over a possible change in the IGP post gained momentum following the home minister’s remarks.
APBn chief Hasib Aziz
Hasib Aziz is currently serving as the chief of the APBn with the rank of additional IGP. A member of the 15th BCS police cadre, he joined Bangladesh Police in 1995.
He took charge as the Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) commissioner in September 2024. After around one and a half years, he was made APBn chief in March 2026.
Before becoming the CMP chief, he served as commandant of the Detective Training School under the CID. During his career, he also worked as head of the Interpol desk, commandant of the Tangail Police Training Centre, and in various positions at APBn headquarters.
Born in Shariatpur in 1971, Hasib is the son of former IGP M Azizul Haque, who also served as an adviser to the caretaker government in 2006.
CID chief Mosharraf Hossain
Additional IGP Mosharraf Hossain formally assumed charge as the CID chief on 29 July 2026.
A member of the 15th BCS police cadre, he joined the police force as an assistant superintendent of police (ASP) in 1995. He holds a master’s degree in economics from Islamic University in Kushtia and received higher education in law in the United Kingdom.
Before becoming CID chief, he served on deputation as a director of the National Security Intelligence (NSI). He was promoted to the rank of additional IGP while serving in that role.
At the field level, he served as the SP in Pirojpur and Chapainawabganj. He has also held important positions at CID headquarters and its Chattogram and Cumilla units.
His previous assignments include the Bangladesh Police Academy, DMP, CMP, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and Police Headquarters.
SRB chief Ahsan Habib Palash
Additional IGP Ahsan Habib Palash is the first DG of the newly formed SRB. He previously served as the last DG of the RAB.
A member of the 15th BCS police cadre, Palash joined Bangladesh Police as an ASP in 1995. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in sociology from the University of Dhaka. He has also received professional training in the US, the UK, Australia, Vietnam, and Malaysia.
In March 2026, he was promoted to additional IGP and appointed RAB DG. He formally assumed the role on 28 March. In September, he became the first SRB chief.
Before taking charge of RAB, he served as deputy IGP for the Chattogram Range. His previous assignments also include DMP, CMP, and Sylhet Metropolitan Police, the APBn, the Police Bureau of Investigation, and field-level positions in various districts.
What did IGP Fakir say?
At an event in Chawkbazar in Old Dhaka on Monday, IGP Ali Hossain Fakir said police would not hesitate to resort to crossfire if necessary, provided the government gave permission.
At the same event, he said police were labelled fascist when they used force and weak when they remained inactive. He also stressed the need to provide police with an appropriate environment to carry out their duties in maintaining law and order.
The crossfire remarks drew heavy criticism from political circles, rights organisations, and other quarters.
In a clarification issued later that night, Police Headquarters said the IGP had not used the term crossfire to mean extrajudicial killing or punishment outside the judicial process. Rather, he had used the term metaphorically while referring to strict law enforcement against criminals.
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