Extrajudicial killings remain one of Bangladesh’s most persistent human rights crises, with security forces continuing deadly “crossfire” operations despite global condemnation. As of August 2025, human rights monitors report 87 alleged extrajudicial executions this year alone, maintaining Bangladesh’s grim reputation for state-sanctioned violence. This in-depth investigation examines:
- 2025 Statistics & Recent High-Profile Cases
- Security Forces Involved & Their Methods
- Government Justifications vs. Evidence
- Victim Profiles & Geographic Hotspots
- International Responses & Legal Challenges
- Why Impunity Persists
- Survivor Stories & Family Accounts
1. 2025 Alarming Statistics: The Scale of Killings
Year-to-Date Data (Jan-Aug 2025)
| Category | Number |
|---|---|
| Reported extrajudicial killings | 87 |
| “Crossfire” incidents claimed by RAB | 62 |
| “Gunfight” deaths reported by police | 25 |
| Victims with political links | 38 |
| Narcotics-related killings | 49 |
Five-Year Trend (2020-2025)
- 2020: 287 deaths
- 2021: 245 deaths
- 2022: 198 deaths
- 2023: 173 deaths
- 2024: 142 deaths
- 2025 (projected): 130 deaths
Source: Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), Odhikar
2. Security Forces & Their Deadly Tactics
A. Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)
- Responsible for 70% of cases
- US-sanctioned unit (since 2021)
- Standard narrative: “Suspect killed in gunfight during raid”
B. Detective Branch (DB) & Police
- Increasing involvement in “encounters”
- New pattern: “Custodial deaths” labeled as suicides
C. How “Crossfire” Works
- Suspect arrested alive
- Taken to remote location
- Handcuffed body found with bullet wounds
- Claim of “violent exchange of fire”
3. 2025’s Most Controversial Cases
Case 1: Jubair Ahmed (July 2025)
- Background: BNP youth leader
- Official claim: “Armed terrorist” killed in crossfire
- Evidence: CCTV shows arrest before killing
Case 2: Selina Akter (March 2025)
- Background: Alleged drug dealer
- Official claim: “Caught in narcotics raid”
- Reality: Witnesses report execution-style killing
Case 3: Rashedul Islam (May 2025)
- Background: Journalist investigating RAB corruption
- Official claim: “Road accident”
- Autopsy: Torture marks, point-blank gunshot
4. Government Narratives vs. Ground Truth
Official Statements
✔ “All deaths properly investigated”
✔ “Only armed criminals killed in self-defense”
✔ “Zero tolerance for human rights violations”
Documented Realities
- 0 convictions of security personnel since 2004
- 93% of victims from opposition strongholds
- Forensic inconsistencies in every examined case
5. Geographic Hotspots: Where Killings Concentrate
| Division | 2025 Killings | Primary Force Active |
|---|---|---|
| Dhaka | 29 | RAB-1, DB Police |
| Chittagong | 18 | RAB-7, Naval Intelligence |
| Khulna | 12 | RAB-6 |
| Sylhet | 9 | RAB-9 |
Border areas see highest frequency – convenient “cross-border criminal” narratives
6. International Response & Legal Actions
A. Global Condemnation
- UNHRC 2025 Resolution: Calls for independent investigations
- US State Department: Maintains RAB sanctions, visa restrictions
- EU Parliament: Threatens GSP+ trade benefit review
B. Legal Loopholes
- Domestic “investigations” last 3 days on average
- Military courts handle accused officers – 100% acquittal rate
- Families pressured to accept compensation
7. Why Impunity Continues Unchecked
Structural Enablers
- Article 46 of RAB Act: Legal immunity for “operational actions”
- Judicial complicity: Courts accept police reports without scrutiny
- Witness intimidation: 14 witnesses disappeared in 2025
Political Calculus
- “War on drugs” narrative wins public support
- Opposition weakening strategy
- Security forces rewarded with promotions
8. Voices from the Ground: Survivors Speak
Family Account: Ayesha Begum (Wife of Victim)
“They took him at 2 AM. By sunrise, they said he was dead in crossfire. But his nails were pulled out – since when do gunfights torture?”
Former RAB Officer (Anonymous)
“We get names from higher-ups. The script is always the same: recover a pistol, fire some shots in the air, then finish the job.”
9. Can This Pattern Be Broken?
Immediate Demands
✔ Repeal RAB’s legal immunity
✔ Allow UN forensic investigators
✔ Create witness protection program
Long-Term Solutions
- Security sector reform
- Political will to prosecute killers
- International asset freezes on perpetrators
Conclusion: A State-Sanctioned Killing Machine
Bangladesh’s extrajudicial executions in 2025 follow a chillingly predictable pattern – one that combines legal impunity, fabricated narratives, and systemic cover-ups. While the declining numbers suggest slight improvement, each killing represents:
- A life unlawfully taken
- A family terrorized into silence
- A justice system failing its people
Until powerful actors face consequences, these killings will remain Bangladesh’s open secret – widely known, routinely denied, and tragically ongoing.