An improvised explosive device (IED) found and later defused near the metro rail station in Dhaka’s Motijheel was planted along the route of the Hindu community’s Rath Yatra procession, according to details from a case filed over the incident.
Police have so far failed to identify or arrest anyone involved in placing the device, while several investigation teams are reviewing footage from nearby CCTV cameras to find clues.
The case, filed by Motijheel Police Station Sub-Inspector Mirza Mohammad Mukta, mentioned that the bomb was planted on the procession route on Friday afternoon.
The reverse Ratha Yatra (Ulto Ratha Yatra) procession was scheduled to begin from Dhakeshwari Temple and pass through Dainik Bangla, Shapla Chattar and Ittefaq before ending at Swamibagh Ashram.
The device was found on the road beneath Motijheel Metro Station near Shapla Chattar, hidden inside a BMW umbrella, with a red light blinking from inside it.”
Police said Traffic Sergeant Kawsar Hossain first informed the control room about the suspicious object around 4pm through radio communication.
Later, police teams arrived at the spot and cordoned off the area.
When the procession participants approached the area, police informed them that the situation was caused by a short circuit and asked them to proceed, according to the case statement.
A bomb disposal unit later reached the spot and neutralised the device within seven minutes.
After the Rath Yatra ended, the bomb was detonated in a controlled manner. A pedestrian was injured in the incident.
Police officials said the device appeared to have been placed deliberately along the procession route and that timely detection prevented a potentially serious incident.
In the case statement, SI Mirza Mohammad Mukta said unidentified individuals had placed the bomb as part of a planned attempt to create panic, endanger public safety through an explosion and harm the government’s image.
Motijheel Division Deputy Commissioner of Police Mohammad Harun-or-Rashid said investigators were working to uncover the motive behind the incident and identify those responsible.
“Every possible effort is being made to solve the mystery behind the bomb. Nothing has been confirmed yet,” he told TIMES of Bangladesh on Saturday afternoon.
