A wave of cocktail explosions hit nine areas across the capital from Friday afternoon into the night, leaving a rickshaw puller injured in Jatrabari. The blasts occurred in Malibagh, Agargaon, Mohakhali, Jatrabari, Babubazar, Bongo Bazar, Gulistan, Moghbazar, and Mouchak.
According to police and eyewitnesses, the first incident took place after Jummah prayers on Friday afternoon, when two cocktails exploded near the Shohag Paribahan counter adjacent to Malibagh Railgate.
Shahjahanpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Amirul Islam said cocktails were thrown from atop the flyover immediately after Jummah prayers. He added that efforts were underway to identify those responsible, and CCTV footage from the flyover entrance was being scrutinised.
Later, at around 9:10pm, another cocktail explosion occurred beside Moghbazar Chourasta Jame Mosque.
Hatirjheel Police Station OC Mohammad Asaduzzaman told TIMES of Bangladesh, “An explosion has occurred. We are going to the scene. Details will be provided later.”
Cocktail explosions were also reported in Bongo Bazar, Gulistan, and Mouchak. There have also been reports of explosions in front of the BTV Bhaban in Rampura. However, no immediate information regarding casualties was received from these locations.
Bus set on fire in front of Kafrul Police Station
Meanwhile, an empty bus parked on the road in front of Kafrul Police Station was set on fire at around 9:30pm on Friday.
Kafrul Police Station OC Saiful Islam said a stationary empty bus caught fire on the street in front of the station, though the exact cause of the fire could not yet be confirmed.
Kafrul Police Station Duty Officer Sub-Inspector (SI) Jahirul Islam said the fire on the parked bus was extinguished with the assistance of local residents. He added that the initial cause of the fire remains unknown.
Cocktail explosion in front of Dhaka College
A cocktail explosion occurred in front of Dhaka College in the capital. The explosion took place in front of Dhaka College at around 11:15pm on Friday.
Confirming the matter to TIMES, SI Alamgir, duty officer at New Market Police Station, said senior officials and members of the bomb disposal unit were present at the scene.
Banned BCL holds torch procession in Middle Badda
Leaders and activists of the banned Chhatra League brought out a procession in Middle Badda in the capital. Slogans such as “Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu” and “Sheikh Hasina will come, Bangladesh will smile” were heard during the march.
The organisation held the torch procession on Saturday night.
Speaking to TIMES on condition of anonymity, an official at Badda Police Station said a police team had gone to the scene after receiving reports of the procession. The matter is being verified, and further details would be provided later.
Meanwhile, a video of the Chhatra League’s torch procession in Middle Badda has circulated on social media. The footage shows several individuals marching with torches in hand and chanting various slogans.
