10 crude bombs found near Chhatra League leader's house in Gazipur

Police recovered 10 crude bombs from a sack in front of the residence of a leader of the activities-banned Bangladesh Chhatra League in Gazipur's Tongi today (3 October).

The explosives were found in the Gutiya Andarul area of Tongi West in the morning. A bomb disposal unit from Dhaka later examined and safely neutralised the crude bombs around 4pm.

The residence belongs to Noor Nabi Hossain alias Hridoy, 22, organising secretary of the Tongi West thana unit of the Chhatra League.

According to police and locals, people spotted a sack containing objects resembling crude bombs in front of Hridoy's house and informed police. Officers from Tongi West Police Station rushed to the spot, cordoned off the area and restricted movement around the sack.

Initially, police suspected that the sack contained 10–12 crude bomb-like objects.

"We have cordoned off the entire area and are working to ensure the safety of people and property," said Sub-Inspector Mehedi Hasan of Tongi West Police Station.

Officer-in-Charge Ariful Islam said police had secured the area after finding the objects.

"We have seen 10–12 objects resembling crude bombs. We suspect they are crude bombs, but it can be confirmed only after the bomb disposal unit examines them," he said at the time.

The bomb disposal unit later arrived from Dhaka and examined the objects before safely neutralising all 10 crude bombs around 4pm.

Police also recovered two banners of the Awami League from the spot.

According to OC Ariful, the banners announced a protest rally demanding the cancellation of the ban on the Awami League and a court verdict, as well as the release of imprisoned leaders and activists.

The banners carried the names of several leaders and activists of the Tongi West thana and Ward 52 units of the Awami League-affiliated organisations.

One banner listed Farid, Habibur Rahman, Babul and Ali Akbar as aspirants for various posts in the Ward 52 unit Jubo League. The other named Hridoy, Tongi West thana Chhatra League organising secretary, along with Sajid Hossain Dipu, and Ward 52 Chhatra League's Hasan Nahid and Sajib.

Police said they suspect the crude bombs were placed there with an intention to carry out sabotage.

"The explosives were found and the bomb disposal unit was informed. The team came from Dhaka and safely neutralised the bombs at a deserted location," OC Ariful said.

He added that police could not immediately establish whether the two banners were connected to the recovery of the explosives.

"Whether there is any connection between the banners and the explosives cannot be confirmed at this stage. An investigation is underway to identify those involved, and legal action will be taken based on the findings," the OC said.

Police said they are investigating how the explosives were brought there and who was responsible for placing them.