A wave of crude bomb explosions and arson attacks across Dhaka yesterday has triggered widespread public anxiety and prompted a major security clampdown. Authorities confirmed that bombs were hurled at 11 different locations throughout the day, while three buses were set ablaze. Fortunately, no casualties were reported in the arson incidents, but the scale and coordination of the attacks have heightened fears of further unrest.
Security Response
Police have intensified operations ahead of November 13, when the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) is expected to announce a date for delivering its verdict in a case against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have launched a citywide crackdown, detaining suspects and warning that any attempt to disrupt religious harmony will be met with strict action.
Key Targets
The attacks were not random. Among the sites hit were:
- Institutions linked to Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus.
- Fisheries Adviser Farida Akhter’s offices.
- Public transport vehicles, including buses.
- A business establishment.
- The National Citizen Party (NCP) office, where several suspects were detained after a late-night assault.
- Religious sites, raising concerns about sectarian tensions.
Preventive Measures
Authorities have moved quickly to contain the situation:
- Public gatherings have been banned around major establishments.
- Dozens of Awami League activists were arrested, as police suspect links to unrest.
- Security has been stepped up nationwide, including at religious institutions, railway facilities, and metro rail operations.
- Intelligence units are monitoring potential flashpoints to prevent further escalation.
Broader Context
The violence comes at a politically sensitive time. The ICT’s upcoming verdict is expected to be a flashpoint, with rival groups mobilizing supporters. The attacks appear designed to destabilize Dhaka and undermine confidence in public safety. Officials have placed law enforcement on highest alert, stressing that maintaining order is critical as the city braces for possible unrest in the coming days.
The coordinated nature of the bombings and arson underscores the fragile security environment in Bangladesh’s capital. While no fatalities were reported, the targeting of political offices, advisers’ institutions, and religious sites suggests a deliberate attempt to sow fear and disrupt civic life.
For residents, the immediate concern is safety, as police checkpoints, patrols, and surveillance have intensified across Dhaka. The government has vowed to restore calm, but the attacks highlight the volatile intersection of politics, justice, and public security in the country.
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