A spate of hand-bomb blasts across Dhaka in recent weeks, targeting public places and injuring pedestrians and police personnel, has raised security concerns amid ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s announcement that she plans to return to Bangladesh in December.
In most incidents, attackers strike suddenly before fleeing the scene.
Mohammad Akhtar Hossain, deputy commissioner of the Media and Public Relations Division of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, told TIMES that the incidents might have different motives, but police suspected a group was trying to create public panic through sabotage or attempted sabotage.
Police were also investigating whether anyone was orchestrating the incidents through others without appearing at the scenes, he said. “Officers in the field are coordinating with intelligence agencies to uncover the motives behind the incidents.”
On Thursday morning, a constable was injured when a hand bomb was thrown at a police patrol vehicle during a motorcycle procession by the banned Chhatra League near Kurmitola Army Golf Club.
He was taken to the National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital. A video circulating on social media shows Dhaka North Chhatra League President Riaz Mahmud taking part in the procession.
Over the past week, blasts have been reported in front of the BTV building in Rampura, beneath the Agargaon metro rail station, in front of Dhanmondi Government Boys’ School, at the Kalabagan bus stand, opposite Ramna Shopping Complex, around the July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar and on a road near the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon.
On Wednesday night, police recovered and destroyed 20 abandoned hand bombs from the Ansar Camp area in Paikpara, Mirpur.
Around 8:30pm on Tuesday, two bombs exploded at Chalantika intersection in Pallabi, burning courier worker Ramzan, also known as Bapon. Doctors said 20 per cent of his body had been burnt. Pallabi police OC Jalal Uddin could not identify the attackers.
Earlier that afternoon, people arriving on a motorcycle detonated two bombs in front of the Bangladesh Television building in Rampura. Rampura Police Station OC Mohammad Jahangir Hossain said police were trying to collect CCTV footage.
Around 8:30pm on Monday, a bomb exploded beneath the footbridge in front of Dhanmondi Government Boys’ School. Another blast occurred beneath the Agargaon metro rail station around 9:15pm. Sher-e-Bangla Nagar police station OC Mohammad Monirul Islam said police were investigating the incident.
Although most blasts have occurred in the evening or at night, one took place in broad daylight in Kalabagan on 30 October. Police said 14 to 15 people arrived on seven to eight motorcycles and detonated bombs near the Kalabagan Krira Chakra field around 12:15pm.
After hearing the explosion, Dhanmondi Model Police Station OC Mohammad Imdadul Islam Tayeb went to the scene, where another bomb was thrown at him.
Police arrested four people in connection with the incident: Mohammad Shaminur Rahman, president of Tejgaon Industrial Area thana Awami League; Kamrun Nahar Lipi, a leader of the same unit; and Jubo League activists Mohammad Nazmul Hasan and Mohammad Billal Hossain.
Three unexploded hand bombs were recovered at the scene. Police later recovered another 10 from different areas based on information provided by the arrestees.
Around 8pm on 23 October, two hand bombs exploded opposite Ramna Shopping Complex. A week later, police arrested Zahidul Islam Anik and Shihab Hossain Omi in Nayatola, Moghbazar, and recovered four hand bombs. Ramna Model police station OC Mohammad Yasin Mia said the two were in jail.
At 1:10am on 10 October, two hand bombs were thrown onto a road near the Prime Minister’s Office. One exploded, while police recovered and defused the other.
Three people – Nur Nabi, Sanaullah and Akash Ahmed – were arrested in the case. They were involved with the Chhatra League, Jubo League and Swechchhasebak League, respectively, said Tejgaon police station OC Mohammad Muniruzzaman. They were questioned on remand and later sent to jail.
Announcement of return
Sheikh Hasina has recently said at several events that she plans to return from India with senior Awami League leaders and surrender to the court.
She repeated the announcement in an almost hour-long telephone interview with Reuters on 10 July, but gave no date or details of how she would return.
On 17 March 2025, the International Crimes Tribunal sentenced the Awami League president to death over allegations that she made provocative statements and ordered the use of lethal weapons to suppress the July-August 2024 uprising. She has also been convicted in three corruption cases and a separate contempt of court case.
Both the interim government and the current BNP government have repeatedly asked India to return her, but India has not responded positively.
Police have repeatedly said Hasina’s announced return poses no security risk and that they remain alert to prevent possible subversive activities.
On 26 October, Inspector General of Police Ali Hossain Fakir told journalists, “Who will come to the country or when they will come is not a matter for the law enforcement agencies to consider. The police will perform their duties in accordance with the law and the Constitution.”
Political science professor at Dhaka University Mohammad Aynul Islam told TIMES that the blasts appeared to be part of efforts to create instability in the country. “These incidents cannot be viewed entirely separately from the announcement of Sheikh Hasina’s possible return. Such activities could intensify as December approaches.”
According to Reuters, Hasina said she was prepared to accept even death in her birthplace.
She has also discussed her plans in online conversations with party leaders and activists. However, she has no valid passport and would need a travel pass to return.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said that the government will not issue a travel pass or passport to Sheikh Hasina.
Speaking to reporters at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Thursday, he said Hasina should be brought back under the extradition treaty between Bangladesh and India.
“Hasina should be brought back under the extradition treaty with India through a judicial process, not issued a passport like an ordinary traveller,” he said adding that the government wanted her handover as a fugitive accused of killing thousands.
On 5 August 2024, Hasina flew to India amid a mass uprising led by students and the public.
