Police hold citywide security drill ahead of banned AL's 'Dhaka Lockdown' programme
The exercise comes amid heightened security measures in Dhaka following several recent incidents, including a cocktail explosion near Kakrail Church on Friday night and a torch procession by the banned Awami League activists in Dhanmondi’s Sankar area, where explosions were also reported
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) today (8 November) conducted a large-scale coordinated security drill across 142 key locations in the capital ahead of the banned Awami League's "Dhaka Lockdown" programme, scheduled for 13 November.
Around 7,000 police personnel from different units of the DMP took part in the exercise, which ran from 4pm to 5pm and covered several vital installations, including the chief adviser's residence Jamuna, the Bangladesh Secretariat, the High Court, Bangabhaban, and the Chief Adviser's Office in Tejgaon.
According to the DMP, the exercise was part of its routine preparedness activities aimed at enhancing the force's capacity for quick response in emergency situations.
"Our regular operational activities include quick-response drills to ensure readiness for any kind of emergency," DMP Deputy Commissioner (media and public relations) Muhammad Talebur Rahman told The Business Standard.
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"Officers of various ranks participated in today's exercise," he added.
This is the second major coordinated police drill of the year. The previous one was held in early August.
However, police sources said that the exercise comes amid heightened security measures in Dhaka following several recent incidents, including a cocktail explosion near Kakrail Church on Friday night and a torch procession by the banned Awami League activists in Dhanmondi's Sankar area, where explosions were also reported.
Officials said the mega drill was meant not only to test the coordination and readiness of police personnel but also to serve as a deterrent to any potential acts of violence or unrest in the capital ahead of the 13 November programme.
According to DMP sources, the drills were conducted simultaneously across 142 key locations in Dhaka, covering all eight DMP divisions. These included: 34 spots in Ramna, 17 in Motijheel, 14 each in Mirpur and Gulshan, 16 each in Tejgaon and Uttara, 15 in Lalbagh, and 16 in Wari.
A DMP deputy commissioner described the operation as an "exhibition-type" exercise, saying, "It demonstrates the force's readiness to take control at crucial intersections and key points of the city. The drill also serves as a warning to those who may attempt to create chaos or commit crimes."
