Several arrested over crude bomb blasts, bus arson in Dhaka: DMP official

Police have already arrested several people including members of a banned organisation and its affiliated bodies in connection with the crude bomb explosions and bus arson at different locations in the capital, a senior Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) official said on Sunday.

“We have observed that a group is involved in these activities with the intention of sabotage and creating panic among people,” said Md Akter Hossain, Deputy Commissioner (Media and Public Relations) of DMP responding to questions from reporters at the DMP Media Centre on Mintoo Road.

He said police were closely monitoring the situation and investigating each incident.

Intelligence surveillance is continuing and police operations are underway in coordination with investigation reports from intelligence agencies, Akter said.

The DMP has taken all necessary measures to ensure public safety he said, adding that mobile patrols and picket duties were being maintained alongside intelligence surveillance.

Asked about the sources of materials used to make crude bombs and those involved in their production, Akter said the Detective Branch (DB) had earlier arrested people involved in such activities and recovered explosive substances.

Regarding the collection of fuel used in vehicle arson and whether petrol pump owners had been alerted, he said police were monitoring the purchase and sale of different substances to identify any transactions intended for sabotage.

The DMP official said police were also examining CCTV footage to identify those collecting inflammable substances for carrying out such acts.