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On August 6, 2024, while serving in the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Police Inspector Md. Zahidul Islam is seen retrieving the body of a police member in front of Jatrabari Police Station.
Following the July uprising in 2024 and the fall of the government led by Sheikh Hasina on August 5, the country plunged into a period of intense political turmoil. During those chaotic days, many members of the police force came under attack from angry mobs, and several officers lost their lives.
Amid this volatile situation, one police officer’s courageous actions stood out. Inspector Zahidul Islam of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) voluntarily stepped forward to help control a potentially explosive situation. His story reflects not only personal bravery but also a rare example of duty, humanity, and responsibility during a national crisis.
On the night of August 5, 2024, at around 11:30 pm, Inspector Zahidul Islam was staying with his family at a relative’s house in the Shankar area of Dhanmondi in Dhaka. Suddenly, he received a call from a fellow police officer, Sub-Inspector Yahia.
The officer sounded terrified. He informed Zahidul that attackers had set fire to Mohammadpur Police Station and were looting government property. Several police members were trapped on the roof of the station and were crying out in fear for their lives.
Without hesitation, Zahidul rushed toward the station on his motorcycle. With the help of some local residents, he gathered around 30–40 civilians and headed to the scene.
Upon arrival, they found a group of individuals vandalizing and looting the police station. With the support of locals, Zahidul and the group chased the attackers away. He then remained at the station with the volunteers throughout the night to ensure its safety until the army arrived at dawn and took control of the situation.
The following morning, August 6, at around 9:00 am, Zahidul received another alarming call from SI Yahia. This time, the news was even more disturbing. Several severely burned and decomposed bodies of police officers were reportedly lying in front of Jatrabari Police Station.At the same time, another dangerous development emerged. Many enraged police personnel at Rajarbaug Police Lines were preparing to march toward Jatrabari with weapons.
Such a move could have triggered a deadly armed confrontation between police and angry civilians. The conflict might have spread across Dhaka and possibly the entire country, escalating into a national crisis resembling civil unrest.Understanding the gravity of the situation, Zahidul made a bold and dangerous decision. He believed that if the bodies of the slain officers could be recovered quickly, it might prevent enraged police members from launching a retaliatory attack. Before leaving, he bid farewell to his wife, children, and parents, fearing it might be his final goodbye. On his way, he met several batchmates near the CID office in Malibagh. When he told them about his plan, they expressed concern. Some even joked nervously, saying, “If you go to Jatrabari, you might return as a corpse. Let’s take a selfie—this might be our last memory.” Despite the warnings, Zahidul did not change his decision.
When he reached the Jatrabari area, he saw a massive crowd—an estimated 60,000 to 70,000 people gathered there. If they had discovered that he was a police officer, his life could have been in immediate danger.To protect himself, Zahidul introduced himself as a journalist. Using tact and calm communication, he managed to gain the cooperation of local residents.He arranged a truck, collected body bags from the fire service, and began retrieving the bodies of the slain officers. Throughout the operation, he kept his face partially covered with a cloth to conceal his identity.At one tense moment, a young man approached him and whispered, “Sir, I recognize you.” For a brief moment, Zahidul feared it might be the end. But through patience and composure, he managed to defuse the situation.
Eventually, he managed to load eight bodies onto the truck and return to Rajarbagh Police Lines. Hundreds of emotional and angry police members were waiting there.When the bodies arrived, many officers broke down in tears. At the same time, they realized that someone had risked his own life to bring back their fallen colleagues.Had hundreds of armed police officers marched toward Jatrabari that day, the consequences could have been catastrophic—an armed confrontation between police and civilians, widespread casualties, uncontrolled violence in the capital, and potentially nationwide unrest.Zahidul’s intervention may have helped prevent that scenario.
From August 6 to August 11, Zahidul remained at Rajarbagh Police Lines, working to calm angry police members. He engaged in discussions with colleagues and communicated with police units across the country to help stabilize the situation.He also visited neighborhoods in Dhaka at night where civilians were guarding their areas with sticks due to security fears. Initially introducing himself as a journalist, he later revealed his identity as a police officer and recorded people’s opinions, which he shared with police members to encourage them to resume their duties.At one point, when rumors spread that the police had gone on strike, public safety began to deteriorate. Criminal groups started looting homes and shops in several areas. Sensing the urgency, Zahidul issued a bold statement on behalf of concerned officers to reassure the public that the police had not abandoned their responsibilities.His message helped restore public confidence and discouraged organized criminal groups from exploiting the situation.
While the police faced criticism for certain controversial roles before August 5 while carrying out government directives, many officers also demonstrated remarkable courage and commitment in protecting the country during the crisis.As the Inspector General of Police later emphasized, the public should acknowledge not only the negative aspects but also the courageous efforts of those who worked to maintain peace.The events of August 5 and 6 remain an unknown chapter in Bangladesh’s recent history. This story is not just about the bravery of a single police officer it is about a critical moment when one risky decision could have pushed the nation toward devastating conflict. Instead, the courage and initiative of one man may have helped prevent a far greater tragedy.
