22 vehicles set ablaze, crude bombs explode at 28 locations across Bangladesh

At least 22 vehicles were set on fire and crude bombs, locally known as cocktails, exploded at 28 locations across Bangladesh in a 24-hour period from Monday morning to Tuesday morning, amid a spate of arson attacks, explosions and violent protests in several parts of the country.

According to information from the Police Headquarters and Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), four vehicles were set ablaze in Dhaka and three in Chattogram during the period. The remaining 15 incidents were reported from Narayanganj, Naogaon, Gazipur, Patuakhali, Mymensingh, Gaibandha, Satkhira, Bogura, Manikganj, South Keraniganj and Faridpur.

Two vehicles were set on fire in each of Narayanganj, Gazipur and Mymensingh, police said.

In the capital, two parked buses were set ablaze in Farmgate and Pallabi on Monday night. Two mini-trucks were also torched on the Sadarghat road in Old Dhaka.

In Chattogram, a bus was set on fire in the city's New Mansurabad area early Tuesday. Reports of cocktail explosions and petrol bomb attacks also emerged from different parts of the city.

Outside the major cities, two buses were torched in Savar and Dhamrai. In Chandra, Kaliakair, Gazipur, two buses and a covered van were set on fire in separate incidents.

In Faridpur, a bus driver died after his vehicle was set ablaze. Mohammad Kalachan Sheikh was asleep inside the bus when the fire broke out. Police said he died from suffocation after inhaling smoke.

Cocktails explode at 19 locations in Dhaka

DMP sources said crude bombs exploded at 19 locations in the capital between Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning. At least 33 people were arrested in connection with the incidents.

Outside Dhaka, explosions were reported in Manikganj, Gopalganj, Chattogram, Shariatpur, Cox's Bazar and Rangpur.

Police in Gopalganj reported that six cocktails were thrown at different locations in the district. In Anwara, Chattogram, a crude bomb exploded outside a Grameen Bank branch, setting fire to some documents.

Clashes in Gopalganj, police vehicle torched

Clashes and chases between police and activists of the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League took place in Tungipara, Gopalganj, on Tuesday. During the violence, a police vehicle was set on fire and several shops were vandalised. Several people, including police personnel, were injured.

In Kashiani upazila, activists of the banned Awami League and its affiliated organisations blocked roads by setting fires. Similar blockades were reported near the western side of the Launch Ghat Bridge, Sonakur and the LGED intersection in Gopalganj town.

Late on Monday night, activists of the banned Awami League and Chhatra League also blocked the road in front of the Padma Bridge toll plaza on the Zajira side, carrying logs and oars. Several crude bombs exploded and trucks were vandalised during the protest.

Additional police deployed in four districts

In response to the incidents, additional police personnel have been ordered to be deployed in Gopalganj, Shariatpur, Madaripur and Faridpur. Police superintendents in these districts have also been instructed to step up patrols and intelligence surveillance.

Inspector General of Police Ali Hossain Fakir held an online meeting with police superintendents from all 64 districts on Tuesday. Metropolitan police commissioners and deputy inspectors general of police from different ranges also joined the meeting from Police Headquarters.

The IGP instructed officers to identify and arrest those involved in sabotage, strengthen patrols in vulnerable areas and intensify intelligence operations. He also cautioned against indiscriminate arrests, stressing that innocent people must not be harassed in the name of law enforcement.

Assistant Inspector General of Police Kamarum Munira, spokesperson for the Police Headquarters, said the recent incidents of crude bomb explosions and arson were part of organised criminal activities.

She said police had stepped up intelligence surveillance, patrols and checkpoints in vulnerable areas. CCTV monitoring and cyber surveillance were also being strengthened, alongside coordination among intelligence agencies, to identify and bring those responsible to justice.

According to the Police Headquarters, 29 people were arrested between Saturday and Monday in connection with acts of sabotage across the country.