At least 18 branches of Nobel Peace Prize-winning Grameen Bank have come under attack across Bangladesh in the past two weeks, with two offices targeted in the last 24 hours, raising fears among employees over their safety.

The latest attacks took place in Pabna and Gopalganj, where assailants used petrol bombs and fire to target bank premises.

No injuries have been reported in the attacks, but the incidents have prompted Grameen Bank to write to the inspector general of police seeking additional security for its branches nationwide.

The bank operates around 2,500 branches and employs more than 24,000 people across the country.

In the latest incident, unidentified assailants poured petrol and set fire to Grameen Bank's Dogasi branch at Dogachi Bazar in Pabna Sadar around 1am on Wednesday (November 11).

The attackers smashed windowpanes and set the bank's signboard ablaze.

Local residents and a night guard extinguished the fire before it could cause extensive damage.

Pabna Superintendent of Police Abu Ashraf told Daily Waadaa that no case had yet been filed and no suspects had been arrested.

"We have come to know that the attack was carried out by activists of a banned political party," Abu said.

He said police were preparing to file a case on Wednesday.

A day earlier, three people, including an alleged Chhatra League activist, hurled petrol bombs at Grameen Bank's Patgati branch in Tungipara, Gopalganj.

The attackers reportedly chanted slogans against Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, the former chief adviser of the interim government.

Gopalganj Superintendent of Police Mohammed Habibullah told Waadaa that a case was being prepared.

"We cannot tell who is behind that and why the attack has been done. We will confirm these after investigation," Mohammed said.

Police in the affected districts have inspected the attack sites and collected video recordings and CCTV footage as part of their investigations.

The incidents come amid a wider series of arson and sabotage attacks across the country. Authorities suspect supporters of the ousted Awami League government of involvement in some of the violence, although responsibility for the Grameen Bank attacks has not been established.

Grameen Bank has previously faced similar attacks. During Muhammad Yunus's tenure as chief adviser, 44 of its offices across Bangladesh were targeted.

The bank, which shared the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize with Yunus for pioneering microcredit, has played a major role in providing small loans to low-income borrowers, particularly women.

With attacks continuing across districts, the bank has sought stronger police protection for its employees and premises.

So far, police have announced no arrests in connection with the latest incidents in Pabna and Gopalganj.

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