DHAKA — At least four buses were set on fire and crude bombs exploded at seven locations in and around Dhaka on Monday, in a series of incidents that heightened security concerns across the capital and neighbouring areas.
The incidents were reported in Dhaka, Gazipur and Manikganj. Two buses were set ablaze in the capital, while two others were torched at Chandra in Gazipur’s Kaliakair. A rickshaw van was also set on fire on the Postogola Bridge in Dhaka.
No casualties were reported in the incidents.
The fire at Farmgate, beneath a metro rail station, caused panic among passengers after smoke spread into the station. Authorities temporarily suspended operations at the station for around half an hour as a safety precaution.
Bus Fire Disrupts Metro Rail Services
A bus belonging to Lovely Paribahan caught fire beneath the Farmgate metro rail station at around 6:30pm on Monday. No driver, assistant or passengers were aboard at the time.
According to the Fire Service and Civil Defence, two firefighting units responded to the incident after receiving information at 6:35pm. The blaze was brought under control by 7:09pm.
Smoke from the burning bus entered the metro station, prompting passengers to leave in panic. The station was temporarily closed at around 6:30pm, with entry and exit suspended. Metro rail services resumed normally at 7:02pm.
The bus was parked near a diesel generator at the station, where approximately 1,000 litres of diesel were stored, raising concerns about the potential risk of a major accident.
Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Tejgaon Division, Ibn-e-Mizan, told Samakal that investigators were examining CCTV footage to identify those responsible.
Another bus was set on fire in Mirpur later in the evening. Separately, a rickshaw van was torched on the Postogola Bridge at around 6:45pm. Two Fire Service units extinguished the blaze.
Crude Bomb Explosions at Multiple Locations
A series of crude bomb explosions were reported across the capital from early morning until night.
An explosion occurred in the G-Block area of Banasree shortly after 6:00am. Police arrested two suspects, identified as Shraban Sardar and Robin, over their alleged involvement.
Earlier, at around 6:00am, two men travelling on a motorcycle allegedly threw a crude bomb from the Mohakhali flyover towards the Amtoli area. It exploded without causing casualties, according to Banani police.
In the evening, another crude bomb exploded in front of the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court. Police detained two men, identified as Faisal and Sukumar Halder, and recovered an unexploded device from them.
An explosion was also reported near the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) of Dhaka University at around 6:40pm. Two individuals were detained by members of the Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal and handed over to police.
University Proctor Professor Dr Israfil Ratan said a bag carried by one of the detainees contained objects resembling crude bombs, although they did not contain any highly dangerous explosive material.
Another explosion occurred in front of the main entrance of Government Bangla College in Mirpur. Several nearby shops were also set on fire.
Two Buses Torched in Gazipur, Four Explosions in Manikganj
In Gazipur, two abandoned buses parked at Chandra intersection in Kaliakair were set ablaze on Monday, according to Kaliakair police station chief Shahidul Islam.
In Manikganj, four crude bomb explosions were reported at two locations. Two devices exploded in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office, while two others went off near the local bus terminal, police said.
Two additional crude bombs were thrown and detonated within a 10-minute interval in South Keraniganj.
Attacks Reported in Several Districts the Previous Night
The incidents followed a series of attacks and explosions reported in different parts of the country on Sunday night.
A crude bomb exploded at Nimtala intersection in Chapainawabganj municipality, while police recovered another unexploded device from the scene.
In Chattogram, a bus was set on fire in the Kalurghat area, while multiple crude bomb explosions were reported near New Market.
Two parked buses were also torched in the Genda and Baliyarpur areas of Savar along the Dhaka-Aricha highway.
In Barguna, a parked Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) bus was set on fire on the road in front of the police lines.
Police said investigations were underway to identify and arrest those responsible.
Police Arrest Suspects as Security Concerns Grow
Dhaka Metropolitan Police said several arrests had been made in connection with recent explosions and attacks targeting law enforcement personnel.
Police arrested four people over alleged involvement in explosions in Banasree and outside the CMM Court. In separate operations, another 15 people were arrested in connection with incidents reported over the past several days.
One suspect, identified as Ashraful, was arrested near Rupnagar Police Station early Sunday after allegedly detonating a crude bomb and attempting to flee. Police said an unexploded device was recovered from his possession.
Another individual, identified as Raju Ahmed, was arrested by the Detective Branch over an explosion in the Darus Salam area.
Police also arrested 12 people in connection with a crude bomb attack targeting law enforcement personnel in front of the Golf Club in the Cantonment area on November 5.
In a separate operation, police arrested Biplob Khan, a former Chhatra League leader, from a residence in Turag’s Sector 18 early Sunday.
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Home Minister Vows Tough Action
Commenting on the incidents, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said certain groups were attempting to create instability by targeting buses and other installations.
“Those responsible are engaging in criminal activities. The police will take legal action and deal with them firmly, whoever they may be,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Home Affairs on Monday.
Meanwhile, social media posts indicated that the Chhatra League had announced a nationwide shutdown programme for Tuesday.
Law enforcement agencies suspect that the recent arson attacks and crude bomb explosions may be aimed at creating public fear ahead of the announced programme.
Investigations into the incidents are ongoing.
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