The cache of three pistols and a revolver was being kept in store for 'use' during the upcoming parliamentary by-election in Dhaka 10 constituency, sources alleged.

Acting on a tip off, a team of Detective Branch (DB) of police headed by Assistant Commissioner Ashrafuzzaman raided the rented house of Sumon, 28, at 904/2 Shahidbagh in Motijheel at around 1:25pm. They found the man asleep on a sofa.

The detectives' interrogation made Sumon disclose that the firearms were hidden under the very sofa he was sleeping on.

The DB team recovered the arms, put Sumon under arrest and handed him over to Motijheel police. A case was filed in this connection.

Police said the house belonged to Mirza Kashem, close relative of a minister, from whom Sumon rented it about a year ago.

Immediately after the seizure, the detectives came under intense pressure from some 'powerful people', sources in the DB alleged, adding they were compelled to slow down their probe into the case to save their skins.

Although police always issues press releases informing the newsmen about any such recovery of contraband items or arrest of any criminal, this time, surprisingly, they kept mum about such a commendable success.