Spate of murder, arson, and bomb blasts sparks security concern in Dhaka
Several locations see crude bomb explosions in two days.
The capital has witnessed a spate of bomb blasts, arson, and killings in the last few days, raising concerns over security despite heightened law enforcement measures ahead of the banned Awami League-announced 13 November "Dhaka lockdown".
Besides regular patrols under the Dhaka Metropolitan Police and other units, the Special Branch has divided Dhaka into 54 surveillance zones for intensified intelligence monitoring though the police are downplaying the threat surrounding so-called "lockdown".
Yet, in just two days, at least seven key locations have reported crude bomb explosions, while today (10 November), a "top criminal" was shot near the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court, and three buses were torched.
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Analysts said the incidents are deepening public anxiety as political tensions mount ahead of the national elections, warning that failure to contain violence could further erode law and order in the days ahead.
"Pre-election periods are always tense," said Touhidul Haque, a sociology professor and crime analyst at Dhaka University. "Prties try to prove their strength by taking to the streets, which fuels clashes and factional violence. If law enforcers fail to act firmly and visibly, the situation could spiral out of control."
Bomb explosions
A crude bomb exploded today in front of the Grameen Bank headquarters in Mirpur, founded by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus. The explosion, which occurred around 4am, caused no injuries or damage.
Mirpur Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Sajjad Roman said, "No one has been arrested yet, and no casualties have been reported. We have begun efforts to identify and bring those responsible to justice."
Barely three hours later, around 7:30am, two crude bombs went off in front of Shashya Prabartana, an establishment owned by Fisheries Adviser Farida Akhter, in Mohammadpur.
At nearly the same time, unidentified assailants on a motorcycle hurled crude bombs in front of Midas Centre at Dhanmondi-27 before speeding away.
Police said in separate statements that both explosions caused no injuries or property damage.
Meanwhile, similar incidents have occurred across the capital in recent days. On Friday night, two crude bombs were hurled at St Mary's Cathedral Church in Ramna, one of which exploded while the other was later defused by a bomb disposal unit.
Earlier the same night, around 2:30am, another crude bomb exploded inside Gate 3 of St Joseph Higher Secondary School in Mohammadpur. According to school authorities, the bomb was thrown from outside the gate during a power outage, causing an explosion but no casualties.
Later at 6:30pm, three crude bombs exploded in front of Shah Ali Market near Mirpur-10 roundabout. Around the same time, another crude bomb exploded on the Khilgaon flyover.
According to police, three blasts took place in quick succession. The perpetrators remain unidentified. CCTV footage is being reviewed to trace those involved. No casualties were reported in any of the incidents.
The Police have arrested a 28-year-old man in connection with the bombings. Initial police investigation has identified him as a member of Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student wing of Awami League, said a press release issued by the Chief Adviser's Press Wing.
According to the release, the suspect is being interrogated regarding multiple incidents, including the explosions on the premises of Kakrail's St Mary's Cathedral and St Joseph School.
Gangster killed
A man was shot dead in front of the gate of Dhaka National Medical Institute Hospital in Old Dhaka this morning. He has been identified as Tariq Saif Mamun, 55, whom police describe as a "top-listed criminal."
According to eyewitnesses and police, unidentified assailants fired at him from close range around 10:30am, leaving him critically injured on the spot. He later died at hospital.
Deputy Commissioner of Lalbagh Division, Malik Ahsan Uddin Sami, confirmed Mamun's criminal background: "He was a top criminal. He had been part of the Emon-Mamun gang and was previously allied with Sanjidul Islam Emon. Investigations are ongoing to identify the perpetrators."
Once partners in crime, the duo ruled over key Dhaka areas – including Hazaribagh, Dhanmondi, Mohammadpur, and Tejgaon – through the "Emon-Mamun" gang, and were implicated in high-profile cases, including the murder of Sayed Ahmed Tipu, brother of former army chief Aziz Ahmed.
Meanwhile, Chattogram has witnessed a surge in politically linked killings in recent months. At least 15 people have been murdered there over the past 13 months, including 10 in internal feuds within the BNP. Turf wars among criminal groups have also intensified violence in the city.
Local BNP leaders have expressed alarm over the worsening security situation ahead of the national election, especially after a BNP candidate was shot during a campaign.
Buses torched
In the early hours today, two passenger buses were torched within half an hour in Merul Badda and Shahjadpur areas of the capital.
Rashed Bin Khaled, the duty officer at the Fire Service headquarters' control room, said the first incident occurred around 5:40am, when a Victor Paribahan bus caught fire in Shahjadpur. Around 6:15am, an Akash Paribahan bus was torched near Brac University in Badda.
"The cause of the fires is still unknown. Investigations are underway at both sites, and no casualties have been reported so far," Khaled said, adding that it remains to be confirmed whether the incidents were acts of sabotage or accidents.
Later, at 7:30pm, another bus was set on fire in Dhanmondi. The bus belongs to Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology. The cause of the blaze could not be known immediately.
