Apprehending future 'lone wolf' attacks by pro-ISIS Islamist militants, the intelligence agencies have issued directives to bolster anti-militant vigilance and enforce security measures, following the Monday bomb blast at Gulistan in the capital in which three traffic policemen were injured.
They alerted law enforcers to strictly monitor unrestricted public access to bus depots, train stations, airports and docks. The directives also included frequent patrolling of public spaces.
According to an online publication in Bangla by a little-known pro-ISIS Balakot Media Group styled 'Lone Wolf', which was published in March this year, was circulated via messaging app Telegram.
Following the Sri Lanka attacks, security agencies in Bangladesh have already declared an alert throughout the country. From Monday, police started block raids.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on Monday asked all banks to ensure security to avoid any untoward incident. Earlier, the DMP also asked residential hotels in the city to abide by some rules while taking boarders. The DMP instructions came from a meeting with bank officers. At least 100 bank officials attended the meeting.
DMP Commissioner Md Asaduzzaman Mia urged all police units to step up security measures and intelligence surveillance ahead of May Day, Buddha Purnima, the Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr.
Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit chief Monirul Islam said, "Extremists may think, they will do something in Bangladesh. But they do not have the ability to organize an attack like that of Sri Lanka."
A lone terrorist or 'lone wolf,' is someone who prepares and commits violent acts alone, outside of any command structure and without material assistance from any group. Despite their name, so-called 'lone wolf" terrorists need not work alone, they can be organised into 'wolf packs'. Both terms describe terror cells that operate without the knowledge or financial support of their parent body.
Currently, this leaderless jihadist trend might spread all over the world, according to security experts.
The publication described India as a perfect target for lone wolf attacks, suggesting targeting western tourists in the neighbouring country. Possible sites for attacks included popular tourist destinations, bars, hotels and nightclubs. The Indian security force personnel are also in the list.
The online publication by a little-known pro-ISIS Balakot Media Group was published in March 2019 and was circulated via messaging app Telegram.
The Islamic State in the past urged its sympathisers to travel to Syria to help the fledgling state defend itself and expand. Lone Wolf attacks were for those who could not travel to the so-called 'caliphate.' However, the group is now urging for more and more lone wolf attacks just like al Qaeda after 9/11 attacks.
On the backdrop of recent attacks in Sri Lanka, directives were issued for anti-militancy precautions and enforcement of intensified nationwide intelligence vigil.
However, none of the official admitted about any information regarding a certain attack. As per instruction from DMP Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia, the security forces are heightening security for the capital including places of worships.
