Banned AL flash march: Crude bombs hit Dhanmondi, 4 held

Multiple crude bomb explosions took place in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi area during a flash procession by the banned Awami League. Police detained four people in connection with the incident and defused 17 unexploded crude bombs recovered from the scene.

The incident occurred around 12:30pm on Friday (October 30) near the Kalabagan bus stand on Mirpur Road. According to eyewitnesses and police, around 50 masked and helmeted activists took part in the procession, carrying banners welcoming Sheikh Hasina’s announcement of her return to Bangladesh.

The processionists detonated crude bombs at several points along the road. Explosions were also reported near the residence of Monjurul Basid, a judge of International Crimes Tribunal-2.

Kalabagan Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Fazle Ashik said a crude bomb exploded near the footbridge, while three unexploded bombs were recovered from the area. Police initially detained two people, including a woman. Seven more crude bombs were later recovered based on information provided by them.

Dhanmondi Police Station OC Muhammad Imdadul Islam Toyeb said another explosion occurred in front of a hotel near the judge’s residence. Police detained two more suspects from the area and recovered seven crude bombs, which were subsequently defused.

Meanwhile, in a separate case involving a crude bomb explosion near Ramna Shopping Complex on October 23, Ramna police arrested two youths, Zahidul Islam Onik and Shihab Hossain Omi, from a house in Chairman Gali in Moghbazar. Four more crude bombs were recovered from their possession.