Bombs, scares fuel security concerns

A spate of explosions, bomb recoveries and bomb scares across Bangladesh has raised growing concern over public safety and the ability of law-enforcement agencies to prevent such incidents, with at least 15 cases reported since 21 February, including 11 in the past three weeks.

Four fresh incidents were reported in Madaripur and Meherpur on Saturday, adding to concerns as authorities continue to investigate whether the recent incidents are isolated acts or part of a wider effort to create panic.

In Madaripur, a cocktail bomb exploded inside Darus Sunna Mahila Madrasah in Kalkini municipality at around 9:30am, injuring five students.

Jahirul Alam, officer-in-charge of Kalkini Police Station, said several police units were working to identify those who had planted the bomb.

In Meherpur, police recovered bomb-like objects from three locations in the district town that morning – in front of Meherpur University, at Court More and at Dr Shaheed Shamsuzzuha Park.

Humayun Kabir, officer-in-charge of Meherpur Police Station, said the objects resembled bombs but were not explosive devices. Police were working to trace those who had placed them there, he said.

On 3 August, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said a coordinated investigation was under way into the recent recovery of bomb-like objects to identify those responsible and determine whether the incidents were connected.

However, law-enforcement agencies have yet to make any major breakthrough in the investigations.

Crime analyst Dr Tawohidul Haque, an associate professor at Dhaka University, said the incidents could stem from various factors.

“It could be the agenda of a political group, an attempt by some to test the capability of the security forces or in some cases, a deliberate effort to spread fear among the public,” he said.

The analyst said a neutral investigation was needed, taking all these possibilities into account.

Additional IGP (Crime and Operations) Khandaker Rafiqul Islam told the Daily Sun that investigations into the incidents were under way.

“What we have suspected is an attempt is being tried to create anarchy in the country,” he said.

Asked whether any political party or banned outfit was behind the incidents, he said, “Our investigation is going on. After that, we can say clearly.” 

The latest incidents came amid a series of bomb scares and explosions in different parts of the country.

On 8 August, a suspicious object wrapped in black tape, initially feared to be a bomb, was found on the road beside Allama Kashgari Hall, near Government Alia Madrasah in Old Dhaka. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s bomb disposal unit examined and neutralised the object.

On 12 August, a pressure-cooker bomb wrapped in black tape was found in an open field near Laltek Ghora Mosque in Savar and was subsequently neutralised.

On 31 July, police found a bomb-like pressure cooker stuffed inside a sack in front of a grocery shop in Ashulia. The bomb disposal unit later defused it.

Police have also filed an anti-terrorism case against 13 people over alleged activities by the banned Neo-JMB group in Savar. 

The case followed the arrest of a suspected extremist, Arif, 26, and the seizure of explosives and bomb-making materials from a house in the area on 11 August.

On 1 August, a bomb-like substance was recovered from beneath the Mirpur-10 metro rail station in the capital.

On 3 August, an explosion injured a mother and her two children in Dudhakmou village in Bharmapasha under Bakerganj upazila in Barishal. The mother, Hanua, later died of her injuries at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in the capital on 13 August.

Several other incidents have been recorded since the beginning of the year.

On 21 February, police were attacked at a checkpoint in the Kutubkhali area of Jatrabari in the capital. 

On 7 March, a bomb attack took place at a temple in Comilla, while a pipe bomb exploded during a search at Janapath intersection in Jatrabari on 25 March.

On 22 June, officials of a state intelligence agency were attacked with a bomb in Dakshinkhan, Uttara. 

On 24 July, a bomb was recovered from inside an umbrella beneath the Motijheel metro rail station, while grenades and weapons were seized in Jashore.

The string of incidents has intensified scrutiny of security preparedness, even as investigators continue to determine whether the cases are linked or driven by separate motives.