Bangladesh on edge as arson, blasts continue: Rail carriage torched in Tejgaon, bombs explode near TSC
Similar incidents have occurred across the capital in recent days
A day of arson attacks and explosions left the country on edge today (12 November), with a latest incident of rail carriage set ablaze in Tejgaon and two crude bombs detonated near Dhaka University's TSC area.
The incidents come amid heightened tension ahead of tomorrow's "Dhaka Lockdown" programme announced by the banned Awami League. This has also prompted police to set up checkposts and conduct extensive searches on Dhaka-bound vehicles since morning.
12:10am
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Two crude bombs explode during documentary screening at Mirpur's Harun Molla College grounds
Two crude bombs were exploded at the Harun Molla College grounds in Mirpur's Pallabi area around 9:30pm on Wednesday (12 November).
Several people were reportedly injured in the incident.
According to witnesses, a documentary, featuring the Awami League's alleged human rights violations over the past 17 years, was being screened at the venue when unidentified miscreants hurled the bombs, causing panic among attendees.
11:55pm
CNG autorickshaw set on fire on Dhaka–Narayanganj link road
Miscreants set fire to a CNG-powered autorickshaw on the Dhaka–Narayanganj Link Road around 9:30pm in front of the Youth Development Office in the Jalkuri area of Narayanganj, said Fatullah Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Anwar Hossain.
Quoting the initial investigation, the OC said two youths hired the autorickshaw from Chashara, saying they were heading towards Signboard.
"After reaching Jalkuri, they asked the driver to stop, pretending that another person would join them. Then, under the pretext of talking on the phone, the two got down and suddenly set the vehicle on fire before fleeing the scene," he said.
The driver managed to douse the flames with help from locals, but the vehicle's canopy and rear seat were damaged, police said.
OC Anwar Hossain added that preliminary evidence suggests the suspects may have political affiliations.
As the location of the incident falls under the jurisdiction of Siddhirganj Police Station, further investigation will be conducted by that station, he added.
11:30pm
A crude bomb was exploded in front of Fortune Shopping Mall in the capital's Mouchak.
No injuries were reported so far from the incident.
11pm
3 leaders of banned BCL, Swechchhasebak League arrested in Gazipur over attempted sabotage
Police have arrested three leaders of the banned organisations Bangladesh Chhatra League and Swechchhasebak League on Wednesday (12 November) night for allegedly attempting acts of sabotage in Joydebpur area of Gazipur City Corporation.
During the operation, police seized 300 milligrams of petrol and a six-foot white plastic pipe used for making petrol bombs.
10:30pm
Some youths attempted to set fire to an old, parked train carriage at Tejgaon Railway Station, but the blaze was quickly brought under control, said Zainal Abedin, officer-in-charge of Dhaka Railway Police Station.
Two suspects have been detained in connection with the incident, confirmed Tejgaon Assistant Commissioner of Police Akkas Ali.
No casualties were reported in the incident so far.
9:20pm
Two crude bombs exploded near the metro station of Dhaka University's TSC.
Confirming the matter to The Business Standard, Masud Alam, deputy commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Ramna division, said, "The explosions occurred around 9:20pm, causing panic among the public in the area."
However, the motive behind the explosion and the individuals involved are yet to be determined.
According to eyewitnesses, the bombs were hurled from the direction of Suhrawardy Udyan, causing two loud explosions in quick succession. However, the perpetrators managed to flee.
Following the blasts, Dhaka University students brought out a protest procession in the area condemning the incident.
At nearly the same time, another crude bomb exploded in front of Twin Tower Concord Shopping Complex near Shantinagar intersection in the capital, according to eyewitnesses.
Earlier in the evening, an unidentified assailant detonated a crude bomb near a police checkpoint in front of the Grameen Bank headquarters in the capital's Mirpur.
6pm
A fire broke out at an abandoned warehouse of Bangladesh Telecommunication Company Limited (BTCL) in Sylhet around 6pm.
Three units of the Fire Service and Civil Defence rushed to the spot and brought the flames under control within 20 minutes.
BTCL Deputy General Manager Mihir Roy said the fire is believed to have originated from a short circuit, causing an estimated loss of around Tk2 lakh.
Taltala Fire Station Senior Officer Qutub Uddin said initial findings suggest the fire was accidental, with no evidence of sabotage.
However, a further probe is underway.
The banned Awami League has announced the "Dhaka Lockdown" programme for tomorrow.
On that day, the International Crimes Tribunal is expected to announce the verdict date in a case concerning crimes against humanity during last year's uprising. Three individuals, including former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and ex-home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, are facing trial.
Law enforcement agencies have been put on maximum alert ahead of the banned Awami League's programme.
The Police Headquarters has already issued strict instructions to strengthen security at all field levels.
On Sunday (9 November), Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said that there is no concern over the reported 13 November "Dhaka lockdown" programme . He also mentioned that army personnel will also remain deployed as usual.
