Hasina verdict: Crude bomb explosions, arson attacks in Dhaka, elsewhere

A series of crude bomb explosions and arson attacks shook Dhaka and other parts of the country today (17 November), leaving one rickshaw-puller injured and causing property damage in multiple locations.

Incidents were reported in Mirpur, Mouchak, Shahbagh, Uttara, Gazipur, Cumilla, and Chattogram, while law enforcement and the Bangladesh Army recovered homemade pistols and crude bombs from a train in the capital. 

Authorities said the overall situation remained under control following the International Crimes Tribunal's verdict against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina in a case over crimes against humanity, with prompt measures taken against the suspects.

Crude bombs explode in Mirpur, Mouchak, Shahbagh

Two crude bomb explosions occurred in the capital's Mirpur-1 and Mouchak areas today, leaving one rickshaw-puller injured, reports UNB.

According to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Traffic Division, a group of miscreants detonated crude bombs from the top of the Mouchak flyover near the Mouchak crossing around 6pm before fleeing the scene. The blast injured a rickshaw-puller, who sustained leg injuries.

Earlier, an unidentified person hurled two crude bombs from the foot-overbridge at Mirpur-1, though no casualties were reported.

Besides, a crude bomb exploded at Chhobir Haat near Suhrawardy Udyan in Shahbagh. No casualties were reported.

Shahbagh Police Station Sub-Inspector Rajib Chowdhury said, "We received information about a cocktail explosion at Chhobir Haat inside Suhrawardy Udyan."

Locals said unidentified miscreants detonated the explosive and fled immediately afterward.

Moreover, two crude bombs exploded near Grameen Industrial Park in Kaliakair, Gazipur early today.

The first blast occurred around 5am near the park gate, setting a nearby signboard on fire, while the second bomb was thrown at a construction site within the park.

Officer-in-charge Abdul Mannan said police were deployed at the scene and legal action will be taken.

House of ex-MP Habib's brother set on fire 

In Uttara, a house belonging to Nadim Hasan, brother of former Dhaka-18 lawmaker and ex-joint general secretary of Dhaka North Awami League Habib Hasan, was set on fire reportedly by a mob.

The incident occurred at House-7 on Road-23 in Sector-7 shortly after the ICT delivered its verdict in a case over crimes against humanity.

Rozina Akter, duty officer at the Fire Service and Civil Defence control room, said two firefighting units brought the blaze under control. 

Pistol, crude bombs recovered at Airport Rail Station

Bangladesh Army recovered a homemade pistol and several crude bombs from a Dinajpur-bound Ekota Express train compartment at Airport Railway Station this morning.

The items were found in a sack of rice during a search of multiple train compartments. Four persons were detained for preliminary questioning and taken to Uttara Army Camp. Authorities are working to identify those involved in the attempted sabotage.

Vehicles torched in Cumilla, Chattogram

Miscreants set fire to a stationary pick-up van on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway at Chauddagram in Cumilla early today.

Mohammad Hilal Uddin Ahmed, officer-in-charge of Chauddagram Police Station, said two motorcyclists poured petrol on the van before setting it ablaze. Police and local firefighting units extinguished the fire.

Additionally, unidentified assailants set fire to a parked bus in Chattogram's Patenga area early today, causing significant damage, Kazi Muhammad Sultan Ahsan Uddin, officer-in-charge of Patenga Police Station, said. 

No public unrest after Hasina verdict: Home adviser

Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) M Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said the overall situation in the country remains calm following the ICT verdict sentencing Hasina to death.

"The general public appears largely unperturbed by the verdict, reflecting a sense of stability across the nation," he said, reports BSS.

While acknowledging some isolated incidents, he emphasised that no major violence or instability has occurred.

Jahangir also highlighted the swift action taken by law enforcement against those who attempted to detonate crude bombs.