Intelligence officials have uncovered an extremely small but highly lethal weapon resembling as an ordinary pen in Dhaka’s criminal underworld, raising serious concerns among law enforcement agencies.
According to the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, a so-called “pen gun” was recently recovered following an attempted murder incident in Old Dhaka, prompting law enforcement agencies to identify those involved in its supply chain.
Authorities suspect that compact firearms, similar to those used in espionage operations, may have reached professional criminals through illegal channels.
Sources said the investigation is ongoing, with arrested suspects being interrogated and intelligence gathered from multiple informants.
On April 7, police recovered a pen-shaped firearm from the Kotwali area of Lalbagh in the capital. Although it can be carried like a normal pen, it can instantly be converted into a lethal weapon.
DB officials said the recovered weapon is approximately six inches long, featuring a brass spherical tip and a clip-like trigger mechanism. By removing the lower “nib” section, a concealed chamber is exposed, designed to fire .22 calibre bullets.
Authorities added that the weapon was allegedly purchased from the illegal market for around 80,000 taka.
The DB police further stated that the recovery followed an investigation into a shooting incident in Nayabazar, Old Dhaka, on April 3.
The incident was linked to an attempted murder of a local Jubo Dal leader named Russell. Investigators believe the pen gun was used in that attack and is capable of firing one bullet at a time.
Investigators have reported that a team from the DB police’s Lalbagh Division arrested two suspected individuals, Sohel alias Kallu and a man named Saimon, from the Jatrabari and Keraniganj areas. The specialized firearm was recovered from their possession. Authorities are currently working to identify the origin of the weapon and possible smuggling routes.
Deputy Commissioner (South) of the DB, Md Nasirul Islam said, “Following the Nayabazar incident, a shadow investigation was launched. First, Saimon was arrested from Jatrabari, and later Kallu was detained from Keraniganj. The pen gun was recovered from Kallu.”
He further stated, “This is not an ordinary firearm. There is no previous record of such a weapon being used in Dhaka. Multiple teams are working to determine how the weapon entered the country, who was involved in its smuggling, and whether it has been used elsewhere.”
Investigators have reported that the seized weapon bears no company logo or identifiable markings, making it difficult to trace its origin. Authorities are also examining intelligence regarding the possible use of such compact firearms by militant groups in southwestern Bangladesh, particularly in the Khulna region.
According to intelligence officials, the use of small, easily concealable weapons is increasingly being observed in modern urban crime, gradually replacing larger firearms in certain cases. Disguised as ordinary personal items, these weapons are emerging as a growing challenge for law enforcement agencies.
Sources indicate that such firearms can be concealed inside everyday objects such as lipsticks, wallets, waist belts, or even held within the palm. In many instances, they are designed to fire only one or two rounds, making them suitable for covert or targeted attacks. Officials also noted that, while their portability makes detection difficult, intelligence agencies are actively working to identify, trace, and counter the circulation of such weapons.
