Cocktail bomb blasts: Isolated incidents or a planned bid to spread panic?

A series of cocktail bomb explosions and arson attacks rocked different parts of the capital Dhaka on Monday evening and night, raising fresh concerns over the security situation in the capital and across the country.

Reports of cocktail bomb blasts have been emerging from different parts of Bangladesh almost every day, fuelling anxiety among students, parents and regular public transport users.

Homemade bombs, locally known as cocktails, were once widely used in political violence in Bangladesh. Such explosions frequently occurred during political clashes, particularly in the 1990s and subsequent years.

The recent spate of explosions has brought back memories of that period of political violence.

Law enforcement agencies have blamed the banned Awami League for the incidents, although the evidence supporting the allegations has not yet been made clear. Senior Awami League leaders, however, have denied the allegations.

The developments have raised questions about whether the explosions are isolated incidents or part of a coordinated attempt to create panic and destabilise the country, as well as what measures the government is taking to ensure public safety.

Around 10 areas of Dhaka hit in one night

A series of arson attacks and cocktail bomb explosions took place in around 10 areas of Dhaka between Sunday evening, 8 November, and midnight.

Deputy Commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Media and Public Relations Division Md Akhtar Hossain told BBC Bangla that around 15 to 20 such incidents occurred in different parts of the capital that night.

At least six cocktail bombs exploded at different locations on the Dhaka University campus, although some accounts put the number at nine. The incidents began around 6:45pm.

The explosions occurred at intervals of a few minutes near Nilkhet intersection, the Dhaka University gate, ULAB School, in front of the Senate Building, the Institute of Modern Languages, the road near the TSC metro station and in front of Sufia Kamal Hall.

Police detained three people that night on suspicion of involvement in the incidents.

Police said motorcycles were used to carry and throw the bombs.

Similar incidents were reported in several other areas, including Bhatara, in front of Pallabi Police Station, Malibagh, near the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters, Mirpur, Cantonment Railway Station, Tejgaon, Panthapath and Jatrabari.

Following the explosions on the Dhaka University campus, another cocktail bomb exploded in front of the CID headquarters in Malibagh. Police said the attackers threw the bomb from Malibagh flyover, using a motorcycle.

Around 7:30pm on Sunday, two motorcycle riders also threw a cocktail bomb into the premises of Pallabi Police Station from the flyover, injuring one person.

Around the same time, another explosion occurred in front of Sony Cinema Hall in Mirpur.

Earlier, around 6pm, a bus used to transport students of Jalsiri Cantonment School and College was set on fire while parked beside a road in Bhatara.

A cocktail bomb also exploded in front of Southeast University in Tejgaon that evening.

Akhtar Hossain said around 15 to 20 incidents of this nature had occurred in approximately 10 areas of Dhaka on Sunday.

He added that arson attacks and cocktail bomb explosions had been occurring in different parts of the capital almost every day recently, with the incidents increasing in number.

Assistant Inspector General (Media) of Bangladesh Police Kamrun Munira told BBC Bangla that police had recorded 31 cocktail bomb explosions and 14 incidents of arson attacks on vehicles across the country between 1 October and 8 November. Two people were injured in these incidents.

Who is behind the attacks?

Police have blamed leaders and activists of the banned Awami League for the incidents.

DMP Deputy Commissioner Akhtar Hossain said police had been arresting suspects almost every day in connection with such incidents.

More than 15 people were arrested either at the scene or on suspicion of involvement in the 8 November incidents, he said.

Asked about the identities of those arrested, he said police had found in some cases that members of the banned organisation or its affiliated bodies were involved. In other cases, people had allegedly been hired in exchange for money to carry out the attacks.

When asked which banned organisation he was referring to, he identified the Awami League and its affiliated organisations, adding that these were preliminary findings and the investigations would establish the facts.

According to information provided by Police Headquarters, 51 people had been arrested in connection with the 31 recorded incidents of cocktail bomb explosions and arson attacks on vehicles across the country between 1 October and 8 November.

Asked about the identities of the suspects, a police official said banned organisations were generally involved in such activities to create sabotage and cause damage to lives and property. However, their identities could not yet be confirmed, and the matter would become clear after the investigations, the official added.

Police have attributed the recent rise in such incidents to rumours about former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's possible return to the country.

According to law enforcement agencies, attempts are being made to destabilise the country and create public panic.

Bangladesh Police AIG (Media) Kamrun Munira said security measures had been strengthened to deal with the recent cocktail bomb explosions and arson attacks.

She said additional police personnel had been deployed compared with normal times, intelligence surveillance had been increased and security at important installations had been strengthened. Necessary preparations had also been taken at the field level, she added.

Awami League leaders deny allegations

Awami League leaders have denied the party's involvement in the cocktail bomb explosions and arson attacks.

They claimed that the incidents were being deliberately staged to discredit the party and shift the blame onto it.

Awami League spokesperson Mohammad Ali Arafat told BBC Bangla that Bangladeshi media had reported that some of those detained over the cocktail bomb explosions had claimed to be BNP activists.

He alleged that the authorities had banned the Awami League and arrested its members but had failed to withdraw public support for the party.

He further claimed that the authorities might now be orchestrating the incidents through their own people to tarnish the Awami League's image and hold the party responsible.

Arafat also rejected allegations linking the incidents to Sheikh Hasina's possible return to Bangladesh. He argued that there was no logical reason to create a path for her return by carrying out a few cocktail bomb explosions.

He claimed that Sheikh Hasina wanted to return to the country with public support and that the government was raising allegations against the Awami League because it was concerned about her possible return.

Awami League Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim also rejected the allegations.

Speaking to BBC Bangla, he claimed that public support for the party had increased despite the ban on political activities by the Awami League and its affiliated organisations.

He alleged that propaganda was being spread against the party to question and undermine that public support.