The arrestee, Anwarul Islam Tareq, 48, was put on a two-day remand yesterday for interrogation after a case was filed with Ramna Police Station in this connection.

Acting on a tip-off, a squad of Rab's crime prevention company led by Major Ershadul Haq raided the three-storey house of Anwar at about 2:30pm on Tuesday, Rab officials said.

"While searching, the team found one shotgun, two double-barrel guns, one airgun and three walkie-talkies. They also seized 5,242 cartridges and 5,373 rounds of ammunition from the house," said the case statement.

The Rab said the firearms and ammunition were "illegal".

Anwar told the Rab that he had negligence in renewing the licences of the firearms and ammunition and that he has had no valid documents of those since the licences expired three years ago, Rab sources said.

Anwar claimed that he collected the firearms and ammunition as a "hobby" and "not for committing any crime". He said he used the firearms and ammunition to hunt birds.

Anwar was handed over to Ramna police and a case under the Arms Act was filed against him.

Ramna police produced Anwar before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court yesterday afternoon with a prayer for a five-day remand.

In the forwarding report, the investigation officer said Anwar needs to be quizzed to find out the whereabouts of his accomplices and seize more firearms and ammunition.

The defence lawyers had submitted a petition seeking bail along with cancellation of the remand prayer, saying their client is innocent and he possessed the firearms and ammunition as a hobby.

They, however, could not produce any valid documents of the firearms and ammunition.

After the hearing, the court rejected the bail petition and sent Anwar on a two-day remand.