Unattended belongings expose CCTV gaps around Metro stations

Repeated discoveries of unattended belongings around Dhaka's metro rail network, coupled with the authorities' failure to identify those responsible, have raised questions about the adequacy of CCTV coverage at one of the state's key point installations (KPIs).

While security analysts linked the incidents to attempts to spread fear among the public ahead of 5 August, the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit, which is investigating the incidents, declined to speculate before the inquiry is complete.

However, speculation intensified after two such incidents were reported on Saturday alone.

At around 11am, a commuter spotted an unattended bag beneath the Mirpur-10 Metro Rail Station. The commuter immediately informed a cleaner, Mamun, who relayed the information to DMTCL Security Officer Morshed through another colleague.

After the incident was reported to Mirpur Model Police Station, a CTTC bomb disposal team rushed to the scene and examined the bag using X-ray scanning.

The scans showed what appeared to be a tin-like object inside. Following standard operating procedures (SOPs), officers used a frangible disruptor to neutralise the suspected device safely.

A subsequent examination found only a tin of chewing tobacco (zarda) and betel leaves inside the bag. No explosives or hazardous materials were recovered.

Later the same day, another bomb scare was reported beneath the Farmgate Metro Rail Station under Tejgaon Police Station after an abandoned sack was found.

After securing the area, the bomb disposal unit manually inspected the sack and confirmed that it contained no explosives or hazardous materials. Instead, it was filled with rubbish.

The two incidents were similar to one other reported a week earlier, further exposing CCTV gaps around Metro stations.

On the night of 24 July, police recovered a powerful improvised explosive device (IED) concealed inside an umbrella beneath the Motijheel Metro Rail Station. A pressure cooker bomb was also discovered in front of a tea stall in Charabag, Ashulia, on Thursday night.

When asked why there was no CCTV coverage at the location where the suspicious bag had been left at Mirpur-10, DMTCL Security Officer Morshed said he was not authorised to comment on the matter. 

Later, DMTCL Deputy General Manager (Security) Major Mohammad Zakir Siddiqui (Retd) told the Daily Sun that the surveillance gaps existed because CCTV cameras had not been included in the original project design for those locations.

“Those areas were not covered in the original CCTV design. We have already identified the blind spots across the network and are taking steps to install additional cameras as quickly as possible,” he said.

Officials familiar with the matter said the lack of surveillance was not limited to Mirpur. Similar CCTV deficiencies existed at several metro rail stations, making it difficult for investigators to identify those leaving suspicious objects at the sites.

During a press briefing at the DMP Media Centre on Saturday, the Daily Sun asked CTTC Additional Commissioner Mohammad Shamsul Haque whether the incidents at Motijheel, Ashulia, Mirpur-10 and Farmgate indicated a coordinated plan.

“Our operations and investigations are still ongoing. We do not want to comment before the investigation is completed,” he replied.

Joint Commissioner of CTTC Munshi Shahabuddin also declined to elaborate beyond the official briefing.

“For security reasons, we have nothing further to add beyond what has already been shared,” he said.

Security analyst and former adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government M Sakhawat Hussain, however, believes the incidents appear intended to spread panic rather than carry out large-scale attacks.

“5 August is approaching and one political party remains banned. It is possible that elements linked to that party are attempting to create an atmosphere of fear through these small incidents,” he told the Daily Sun.

“Their objective appears to be frightening people. At this stage, I do not see indications of a major terrorist threat. We have no significant operational presence of groups like ISI or Al-Qaeda in Bangladesh and, based on the available information, there is little indication of such a risk,” he added.