Was it really a sniper rifle? No forensic test one month on, family insists it’s airgun

Police still await court approval for a forensic test of a gun that was recovered from a college student's home in Narail a month ago when mainstream and social media buzzed with the claim that it was a sniper rifle.

The gun was found during a late-night raid by security forces on 8 June at the residence of Kalam Mollah, a resident of Purulia village in Kalia upazila. It was discovered in the room of his elder son, Sohan Mollah.

Despite widespread speculation about the nature of the weapon, no official identification has been made, and no case has been filed so far.   

"We have applied to the court for a forensic examination, but permission has not yet been granted. The gun remains in our custody. Once approved, we will conduct the test and take necessary action," Abdullah Al Mamun, officer-in-charge of Kalia Police Station, told The Business Standard on 4 July. 

Within hours of the operation, that gun became the talk of the country.

News was published in mainstream media and on social platforms that a sniper rifle had been found under the college student's bed, leading to a wave of speculation.

The timing of the recovery added to the tension, less than a year after the mass uprising during which sniper rifles were alleged to have been used to kill protesters.

In that context, the recovery of what was reported as a "sniper rifle" sparked renewed outrage and suspicion. Many, including politicians, journalists, and social media influencers, expressed strong reactions.

However, from the beginning, Sohan's family has maintained that the item is a legally purchased airgun, previously approved by the authorities.

His mother, Sagorika Begum, who was home during the operation, told TBS, "The rifle that the security forces took from the house is an airgun. Sohan bought it to enrol his son in a shooting club. But since his son was four months short of five years old, he was not admitted to the club."

She added that this was not the first time the gun had been confiscated.

"On 2025 New Year's eve, when local youths were celebrating, security forces found the airgun with Sohan and took it away. However, the following day, Sohan, his father, and his father-in-law visited the local camp, presented the necessary documents, and the airgun was returned.

"At that time, the officers at the camp had said the airgun should not go into anyone else's hands, and should not be used to kill birds. That is why I kept it inside the house." 

Again, the same gun was taken away in another raid, she added.  

Regarding this, the OC of Kalia Police Station said, "The police have never said that the recovered gun is a sniper. Those who said it is a sniper, they know."

Initial narrative that followed the raid

On 9 June, a prominent national daily published a report titled "Sniper rifle recovered in security forces operation in Narail."

It cited the local camp of security forces as saying that they had received information that a man named Sohan Mollah was using an illegal sniper rifle to exert influence over locals.

The report said that during the raid, a "4.5 calibre sniper nitro rifle, complete with telescope and silencer", had been recovered from under his bed. However, Sohan was not arrested at the time as he was not home.

Besides, several other print and TV media outlets published similar reports.

After the news was published, discussions on it took over social media. Some activists of Awami League, the party ousted during the mass uprising, posted photos and videos of the recovered gun, claiming that it matched rifles used against students and civilians during the quota reform movement.

Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, also weighed in.

In a Facebook post on 10 June, he wrote that the Bangladesh Army recovered a sniper rifle from one Sohan Molla. He was active as the coordinator of the 'Anti-Discrimination Student Movement' and a member of the propaganda cell of the Khulna district branch of the movement's shadow organisation 'The Red July'.

"So who shot students and civilians during the movement against our government," he questioned. 

However, Sohan's mother, Sagorika Begum, said, "We support Awami League politics. That is why a certain quarter is spreading rumours against us."

Where did the gun come from?

Sagorika Begum said Sohan, an honours student at DaulatpurCollege, bought the airgun in December 2024 from a shop in Khulna to enrol his son, Arad Islam, in a shooting club.

"The airgun was bought to enroll my grandson in a shooting club. We also have the cash memo," she said.

The receipt shows that Sohan purchased a "PX120 Minotaur" model toy/shooting airgun for Tk1,30,000 on 29 December 2024 from Albert Arms Store on DK Road, Khulna.

When contacted, Subodh Dubey, the owner of the store, referred the reporter to his son Albert Dubey, who confirmed the receipt's authenticity.

"Sohan bought a sports airgun from us. Its pellets are available even at grocery stores. We did not sell any firearms to Sohan," Albert said.

"The security forces also called me recently. Even then, I said it was a toy airgun. We have been in business since 1974. We have never seen rumours like this. An airgun is being called a sniper."

To verify the family's claim about enrolling the child in a shooting club, TBS contacted Forhad Hossain, general secretary of the Narail Rifle Club.

He said, "The club's activities have been suspended since 5 August. Usually, one can only become a member after approval from the deputy commissioner, who is the ex-officio president. A five-year-old child cannot even go to school, how would he learn shooting?"

When asked to speak with Sohan regarding this, his mother said he had stopped using his phone since the raid.

"He is afraid and not talking to anyone. His statement is in my statement," she said.

What is a sniper rifle?

According to French arms manufacturer PGM Precision and Wikipedia, a sniper rifle is a precision weapon designed for trained snipers. It is capable of striking targets at long distances, usually 800 to 1,500 metres or more.

These rifles typically have telescopic scopes and are either bolt-action or semi-automatic. Common models include the M24, Barrett M82, Accuracy International AWM and McMillan TAC-50.

In contrast, media images of the gun recovered from Sohan'shouse match airgun models when reverse-searched on Google. The barrel and body of the gun are made of lightweight plastic or composite, and it is primarily used for shooting or sports.

Family still in panic 

One month on, Sohan's family said they have not been able to resume normal life. Even though he has returned home, neighbours are keeping their distance, and he avoids public contact. Every moment is spent in fear and uncertainty.

On 4 July, Sagorika Begum told TBS over the phone that Sohanwas staying with relatives fearing arrest.

"Sohan has not been using his phone since the incident. Even when he comes home occasionally, people avoid him," she said.

"Nothing will happen to my son, right? Please reveal the truth known... That is a toy gun. We do Awami League politics, so another group is spreading false accusations against us. Will the police arrest my son?"

Sohan's father Kalam Mollah told TBS yesterday  that he had been in Malaysia for a long time and returned to the country only a few months ago. Although conflicts between two local groups are frequent in the area, he said his family has always stayed away from such matters.

"No one in our family has ever been accused in any case. I work as a mason, and my son is a student. But because of this airgun, everything has turned upside down." 

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