The government plans to establish digital forensic laboratories at all eight divisional headquarters to strengthen cybercrime investigations.
TBS Report
14 October, 2026, 04:55 pm
Last modified: 14 October, 2026, 05:02 pm
The government has no plan to launch any operation similar to "Operation Clean Heart", Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said today (14 October), adding that law enforcement agencies would continue taking action against criminals despite risks faced by police personnel.
He made the remarks while responding to journalists after inaugurating the Criminal Investigation Department's (CID) cyber office and digital forensic laboratory at Dampara Police Lines in Chattogram city.
Asked whether the government was considering an operation modelled on "Operation Clean Heart", Salahuddin said, "We have no plan to carry out anything like Operation Clean Heart."
Responding to a question about reports that even police personnel in Khulna felt unsafe while moving around at night, he said attacks on police during anti-crime operations were not new. He said efforts to curb crime would continue.
On attempts to obstruct arrests or help accused persons escape, the home minister said those involved would face legal action.
He added that the authorities would take necessary steps if they received information about such incidents.
Asked whether the government saw any major law-and-order challenge ahead of local government elections, possible sabotage in December and opposition programmes, Salahuddin said, "There are responsibilities on all fronts, but no challenges."
Digital forensic labs planned in 8 divisions
The home minister also said the government plans to set up digital forensic laboratories in all eight divisional headquarters to strengthen cybercrime investigation.
He said the Police Cyber Unit began operations on 1 October and that the government had sought international support, including assistance from South Korea, for setting up the laboratories.
Salahuddin said cyberspace was increasingly being used for crimes such as fraud and stock market manipulation, making digital forensic capacity more important for both prevention and investigation.
He said the government also plans to strengthen digital evidence analysis at the central, divisional, district and upazila levels under the Police Cyber Unit.
The minister also stressed the need to expand and modernise the CID's existing chemical laboratories.
He said scientific examination of evidence and preparation of reports were important for speeding up the justice process, and that better equipment, infrastructure and logistical support would be provided.
The newly launched digital forensic laboratory in Chattogram is expected to reduce dependence on Dhaka for analysing digital evidence in cybercrime cases.
Chattogram CID Special Superintendent of Police Md Salahuddin had earlier said such evidence previously had to be sent to Dhaka for examination.
The new lab will allow investigators to analyse data from mobile phones, computers and other digital devices in Chattogram.