Dhaka: The recent security alert issued to police, following a series of bomb scares and the recovery of suspicious objects in Dhaka and other areas, is not based on specific intelligence, but serves as a routine reminder to enhance security measures, according to Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Additional Commissioner (Detective Branch) Mohammad Shafiqul Islam.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Shafiqul Islam addressed a briefing at the DMP Media Centre, emphasizing the continuous vigilance of police to ensure public safety and the security of police personnel and installations. The reminder was prompted by several recent bomb-related incidents and the spread of rumors. “We always remain alert. Recently, there have been a few bomb scares and some rumors. We are active on these issues. Such reminders are issued from time to time to ensure the security of police vehicles, installations, and personnel,” he stated.
The directive, described as a routine reminder, urged police to exercise extra caution to secure all police vehicles and facilities. When questioned about any specific intelligence regarding potential attacks on police, Shafiqul replied negatively, asserting the absence of specific intelligence but stressing the importance of constant vigilance. He also noted the supervision by senior officers and the reminders to field personnel to exercise greater caution.
Regarding the improvised explosive device (IED) discovered under an umbrella at Motijheel Metro Rail Station, Shafiqul confirmed the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit is leading the investigation, with the Detective Branch conducting a parallel inquiry. Efforts to identify and apprehend those involved are ongoing, though details remain undisclosed due to the ongoing investigation.
When asked about any organizations behind the incident, the DB chief indicated such acts are typically not carried out by individuals alone and are often meant to promote specific mandates or ideologies. On Saturday, the Police Headquarters Operations Control Room issued an emergency message to all field-level units, instructing them to bolster security measures. The directive warned of potential targeting of police vehicles by extremist groups or criminals and advised officers to park duty vehicles in safe locations and maintain constant surveillance.
It also called for increased security for vehicles parked at police stations, police lines, and office premises through regular patrols and enhanced monitoring for suspicious persons or objects. Although no official statement was released by Police Headquarters, Assistant Inspector General (Media) AHM Shahadat Hossain informed the media that such directives are routinely issued to keep police personnel alert and active, assuring there is no reason for public concern.
In the past week, several bomb scares have been reported in the capital. On July 24, police defused a powerful IED hidden under an umbrella beneath the Motijheel Metro Rail Station, believed to target the route of the Hindu community’s Ulto Rath Yatra procession. The next day, a sack with an umbrella protruding from it near Bangladesh Bank caused panic, though no explosives were found. On Saturday, two suspicious bags and sacks were examined at Mirpur-10 and Farmgate metro stations by the DMP Bomb Disposal Unit, confirming the absence of explosive materials.
Police sources indicated the latest directive aims to reinforce vigilance among field-level officers in light of these recent incidents.