Controversy surrounds weapon recovered in Narail: Sniper rifle or airgun?

A weapon recovered from a college student's home in Narail's Kalia Upazila during a late-night raid by the Bangladesh Army has sparked debate over its nature.

While the military initially identified it as a 4.5-calibre sniper rifle, growing scepticism and discussion on social media and among locals suggest it could actually be an airgun.

The raid, conducted Sunday midnight (8 June) at the home of Sohan Molla in Purulia village under the upazila, resulted in the seizure of a rifle equipped with a telescopic sight and silencer, according to a press release issued by the Narail Army Camp on Monday (9 June).

However, Sohan, who is a student at a college in Khulna, was not present at the time. The 26-year-old had allegedly used the "illegal sniper rifle" to exert influence over residents of the area, read the release.

Following the raid, the weapon – which was found hidden under Sohan's bed – was handed over to the police.

"The weapon is now in our custody. With court approval, it will be examined by experts to determine whether it is a firearm or an airgun. Legal steps will follow accordingly," Kalia Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abdullah Al Mamun told the media, reports Prothom Alo.

Screenshot of a gunshop website

Social media debate and local testimonies

The incident has triggered intense discussion online, with photos of the weapon leading some to claim it is not a sniper rifle but an airgun or even a sports shooting rifle.

Several locals also echoed this view. Two neighbours, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Prothom Alo that the same gun had previously been seized by the army and later returned after Sohan presented legal documents proving ownership.

"What was recovered from Sohan's house is actually an airgun," one of them said.

Another neighbour claimed the airgun originally belonged to a youth named Ratul from a nearby village, who was once a member of a shooting club in Dhaka.

Ratul was unavailable for comment, but his father Md Zakaria told Prothom Alo that his son had owned an airgun purchased in Khulna. "But he returned it back to the seller after a while. Later, the same airgun was bought by Sohan."

However, Zakaria could not confirm with certainty whether the weapon recovered from Sohan's house on Sunday night was the same one.

As of this afternoon (10 June), no case had been filed in connection with the incident. Police also confirmed that neither Sohan nor his father had any prior criminal record, reports Prothom Alo.

OC Mamun said an investigation is ongoing, and any legal action will depend on the findings of the weapons examination and further inquiries.