Pipe bomb found in Motijheel not targeted at Rath Yatra, incident 'coincidental': Home Minister

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said that the pipe bomb recovered under the Motijheel Metro Rail Station in the capital was not planted targeting the Ulto Rath Yatra of the Hindu community. According to him, the recovery of the bomb was "coincidental."

Speaking to journalists after an event at the Secretariat on Sunday (July 26), the Home Minister said all law enforcement agencies worked in coordination to ensure the smooth completion of the Rath Yatra and Ulto Rath Yatra.

"The device was found that day by chance. I do not believe it had any connection with the Rath Yatra," he said.

However, earlier, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Additional Commissioner (CTTC) Mohammad Shamsul Haque had said they suspected the explosive might have been planted targeting the Ulto Rath Yatra. He added that a major accident was averted as it was detected in time.

Police said a powerful pipe bomb was recovered inside an abandoned umbrella under the Motijheel Metro Rail Station on Friday. According to the DMP bomb disposal unit, the IED was designed to explode as soon as the umbrella's button was pressed. It contained approximately 1.5kg of sulphur, a battery, circuit, iron nails and sharp metal pieces.

Following the incident, a case was filed under the Explosive Substances Act at Motijheel Police Station against unidentified persons. The case stated that the explosive was placed there in a planned manner to tarnish the government's image and create panic among the public.

Meanwhile, Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Police chief Additional Commissioner Shafiqul Islam had also expressed initial suspicion that the bomb might have been planted targeting the Rath Yatra procession. However, investigations are ongoing to determine the actual motive and identify those involved.