50 arrested in 17 cases related to crude bomb explosions in 11 days: DMP chief

As many as 17 cases have been filed over crude bomb explosions in the last 11 days, and a total of 50 people have been arrested in connection with these incidents, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Sazzat Ali said today (11 November).

"They come on motorcycles, throw one or two crude bombs, and flee. In Demra, we managed to catch two of them red-handed. We hope from now on we'll be able to catch them on their motorcycles," he said at a press briefing at the DMP Media Centre.

During the briefing on the ongoing law and order situation in Dhaka, the police chief noted that from 1-11 November, there have been 17 crude bomb explosions at 15 different locations across Dhaka. 

"In the past two days alone, nine vehicles were set on fire," he said.

"Since October, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police have arrested 552 leaders and activists of the banned political party [Awami League] accused of carrying out flash processions," the commissioner added.

Citing preliminary information obtained from arrested individuals, he said that most of them came from outside Dhaka. "They are being paid to join these flash processions, after which they return to their home districts."

Sazzat Ali further said that leaders and activists of the banned party have been organising sudden flash processions in various areas, particularly in Dhaka, to spread fear among the public. "Since October, they have held at least 14 such flash processions, taking photos and videos to share on social media in an attempt to show their presence."

"In recent days, there have been repeated attempts to create panic and disrupt public order through crude bomb-like explosions and arson attacks on vehicles in different parts of the capital," he said.

Cop injured in Uttara crude bomb attack targeting police

A police sergeant was injured after unidentified individuals hurled a crude bomb targeting him in the capital's Uttara yesterday (10 November), Sheikh Sazzat Ali said.

"A crude bomb was hurled from a flyover at a police sergeant stationed on Jasimuddin Road in Uttara, hitting him on the leg," he said adding, "Another incident took place when a crude bomb was thrown at a police personnel on duty near Mouchak Market area, but it did not hit anyone."

The DMP chief informed that CCTV footage from the past few days shows that individuals wearing helmets and masks have been carrying out such attacks early in the morning or during busy hours before quickly fleeing the scene.

"The attackers appear to be members of a banned political organisation and that, in some cases, underage youths are being used to detonate the explosives," he added.