Dhaka, July 31 -- No lethal weapons were used during the recent clashes in Gopalganj, said Colonel Md Shafiqul Islam of the Military Operations Directorate.

Speaking at a briefing held at the Officers' Mess in Dhaka Cantonment on Thursday afternoon, he told reporters, "Not only bricks and stones were hurled in Gopalganj, but cocktails were also thrown. When there was a threat to life, our law enforcement agencies were compelled to use force."

When asked about the army's position regarding the Home Adviser's clear statement that 'the army was forced to open fire in Gopalganj,' Colonel Shafiqul said a probe committee has been formed to uncover the truth about what actually happened in Gopalganj.

"We hope the investigation will reveal the...