In recent days, incidents of vandalism and attacks have been reported across the country, including at the residence of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Dhanmondi and homes of various Awami League leaders. On Friday (February 7), a clash erupted following an attack on the house of former minister A.K.M. Mozammel Haque in Gazipur, leaving several members of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement injured. Against this backdrop, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced the launch of a nationwide joint operation, Operation Devil Hunt, starting on the night of Saturday (February 8). Following this announcement, claims began circulating on social media from midnight on February 8, alleging that “five Awami League activists were shot dead in a joint operation in Gazipur” and that a “Chhatra League activist was killed by army fire in Barishal.”

Fact-Check
An investigation by the Rumor Scanner team found that these claims were entirely baseless. There is no evidence to support the assertion that five Awami League activists were killed in a joint operation in Gazipur or that a Chhatra League activist was shot dead by the army in Barishal. These claims were spread without any credible source or verification.

Upon reviewing the posts that propagated these claims, no reliable information was found to substantiate them. Further investigation using relevant keyword searches led to a news report published today (February 9) on the website of Ajker Patrika, titled Operation Devil Hunt: 40 Awami League Leaders and Activists Arrested in Gazipur District. According to the report, “To maintain law and order and bring criminals under legal scrutiny, Operation Devil Hunt has been launched nationwide. As part of this operation, 46 individuals were arrested in five police stations across Gazipur district. Among them, 40 were leaders and activists of the Awami League and its affiliated organizations.” This information was confirmed by Gazipur District Police Superintendent Dr. Chowdhury Md. Jaber Sadeq on Sunday morning (February 9). He stated that the arrests took place during operations conducted by Gazipur district police on Saturday night (February 8). As of 9 AM on February 9, a total of 46 individuals had been detained, including 40 affiliated with the ruling Awami League.

However, the report contained no mention of any deaths. Similar findings were corroborated by multiple other media sources, none of which reported any fatalities related to the operation. Additionally, a manipulated photo card resembling a Samakal news graphic circulated on social media, falsely claiming that a Chhatra League activist was killed by army fire in Barishal during Operation Devil Hunt. The Rumor Scanner team had previously fact-checked and debunked this altered image.

Therefore, the claims that five Awami League activists were killed by security forces in Gazipur and that a Chhatra League activist was shot dead by the army in Barishal are entirely false.

Source: https://rumorscanner.com/fact-check/fake-claim-5-awami-league-leader-died-in-gazipur/138260