Fear spreads as bomb alerts keep coming

A string of bomb and bomb-like object recoveries across Bangladesh over the past week has reignited public concerns over security, with repeated alerts at metro rail stations and other public places unsettling commuters despite repeated assurances from law enforcement that there is no immediate threat. Although every reported device has either been safely neutralised or found to be harmless, the recurring incidents have raised questions over who is behind them, their motives and the potential risks to public safety.

Police have maintained that there is no reason to panic, saying prompt responses by bomb disposal units have brought each situation under control. However, security experts say restoring public confidence will depend on swift and transparent investigations, stronger intelligence gathering and enhanced surveillance at vulnerable locations.

Fresh panic spread on Saturday after suspicious objects were reported near the Mirpur-10 and Farmgate metro rail stations in the capital, prompting the temporary closure of both stations. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Bomb Disposal Unit rushed to the sites and, after thorough examinations, confirmed that neither object contained any explosive or hazardous material.

In a statement, the DMP said an X-ray scan of a suspicious bag found beneath the Mirpur-10 station showed an image resembling a container. Following standard operating procedures, the Bomb Disposal Unit safely neutralised the object before discovering that the bag contained a tobacco container and betel leaves.

At Farmgate, an abandoned sack triggered suspicion. The Bomb Disposal Unit secured the area and manually examined the object before confirming that it posed no danger.

The incidents came days after police recovered a functional improvised explosive device (IED) from beneath the Motijheel metro rail station on July 24 and safely neutralised it. On July 30, another bomb-like object resembling a pressure cooker was recovered from an abandoned bag in front of a tea stall in Ashulia and later destroyed through a controlled explosion.

The succession of incidents has heightened anxiety among commuters and residents, particularly in crowded public spaces.
Metro rail passenger Atikur Rahman said he became frightened after hearing reports of a bomb being found at Mirpur-10 station.

"I was not the only one; many passengers became anxious. I had read reports about the recovery of an explosive device beneath the Motijheel metro station. Had it exploded, the consequences could have been devastating," he said.

Mirpur resident Iftekhar Alam said previous militant attacks continued to shape public perception.

"We have witnessed militant attacks before. We have also heard that many militants have been released on bail. Moreover, August is a month when people naturally remain concerned due to past incidents," he said.

Despite the growing concern, DMP Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) chief Additional Commissioner Mohammad Shamsul Haque said there were no alarming signs of a resurgence of extremism.

Speaking at a press briefing recently, he said law enforcement agencies were maintaining regular monitoring of online platforms and social media, alongside technology-based intelligence operations and preventive campaigns to tackle potential threats.

Security analysts, however, warned that authorities must move beyond responding to individual incidents and focus on preventing future threats.

Senior journalist Parvez Khan, who has covered crime for four decades, said delayed updates on investigations often fuel rumours and public confusion. He stressed the importance of intelligence-led policing, technology-based security systems at crowded places and greater public awareness on how to respond to suspicious objects.

Security analyst Air Commodore (retd) Ishfaq Elahi Chowdhury said many individuals accused of extremism and terrorism had been released on bail following the July 2024 mass uprising. He warned that militant or extremist groups could exploit any weaknesses if law enforcement capabilities were stretched and urged security agencies to remain vigilant and proactive.