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Published : 03 May 2026, 05:52 PM
A police witness has told the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) that former Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner Habibur Rahman issued instructions over wireless to use “Chinese rifle bullets” during the July Uprising.
He also identified officer Zakir Hossain, an inspector, in a video shown in court linked to a killing during the crackdown on Sunday.
The deposition was recorded before the bench of Tribunal-2, headed by retired District and Sessions Judge Md Monjurul Basid and member District and Sessions Judge Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir.
The witness Nahid Mia then wireless operator at Jatrabari Police Station, gave his statement as the 12th witness in the case.
He said, “Between 4pm and 5pm on Jul 18, 2024, the then DMP commissioner Habibur Rahman instructed over wireless that ‘sheesha bullets and Chinese rifle rounds must be fired from a kneeling position’ to control the movement.”
He added that following the commissioner’s instructions and a central operational plan, officers and forces from different divisions carried out firing at multiple locations.
Nahid also said, on the evening of Jul 18, Assistant Commissioner Nahid Ferdous of Demra zone demanded sheesha bullets over wireless, after which he delivered 200 rounds on the instruction of the Demra police chief.
On Jul 19, he said, he supplied another 400 rounds of Chinese rifle ammunition as requested by assistant commissioner of Demra traffic zone and Inspector (investigation) Zakir of Jatrabari Police.
Describing the Jul 20 incident, he said: “I heard rumours inside the station that Inspector Zakir had shot someone dead at Jatrabari’s Kazla. Later, I confirmed from social media footage that the victim was student Tayim Bhuiyan.”
At this point, the tribunal played a 2-minute-45-second video clip.
After watching it, Nahid said: “From 54 seconds to 1 minute and 1 second, the person wearing jeans and a helmet who is seen shooting Tayim from very close range is Inspector Zakir. I know him well as we served together.”
The case, filed over the killing of Tayim, involves 11 suspects facing charges of crimes against humanity.
On the day, two suspects in custody -- then Jatrabari Police chief Abul Hasan and former SI Shahadat Ali -- were produced before the tribunal.
Nine others, including former commissioner Habibur, remain absconding.
The tribunal has set Feb 17 for its next order.
Arrest warrants were issued on Dec 24, while formal charges were submitted on Jan 28.
