No specific intelligence of attacks on police vehicles, only a ‘reminder’: DB

The recent security alert issued to police following a series of bomb scares and the recovery of suspicious objects in Dhaka and other parts of the country was not based on any specific intelligence about an imminent attack, but was a routine security “reminder,” said Shafiqul Islam, Additional Commissioner (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).

Replying a question at a press briefing at the DMP Media Centre on Sunday following the arrest of four people, including Chinese national, on charges of online fraud, Shafiqul Islam said police must ensure their own security while protecting the lives and property of the public.

He said field-level officers had been instructed to remain extra vigilant in the wake of several recent bomb scares and rumors. The alert was intended to ensure the safety of police vehicles and installations.

Responding to a question on whether there was any specific intelligence regarding possible attacks on law enforcement personnel, the DB chief said, “No, there is nothing specific. However, we always remain alert. Senior officers have simply reminded field-level personnel to be more cautious.”

Referring to the improvised explosive device (IED) recovered in Motijheel, he said the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit is leading the investigation, while the DB is conducting a parallel inquiry. Efforts are underway to identify and arrest those involved, but no further details could be disclosed at this stage in the interest of the investigation.

He added that such incidents are rarely carried out by a lone individual and are generally intended to promote a particular agenda or ideology.

Earlier on Saturday, Police Headquarters instructed all field units to strengthen security measures. The directive warned that police jeeps, pickup trucks, buses and other vehicles could be potential targets of attacks, and instructed officers to park vehicles in safe locations, increase patrols and surveillance, and remain alert for suspicious persons or objects.

Meanwhile, Dhaka has witnessed several bomb scares over the past week. On July 24, police recovered and defused an IED hidden inside an umbrella in Motijheel. On Saturday suspicious items recovered at Mirpur-10 and Farmgate metro stations, were later found not to contain any explosives.

At the same press briefing, Shafiqul Islam said a raid in the Bashundhara Residential Area led to the arrest of an online gambling and fraud syndicate operating illegal VoIP and GSM gateway devices. The arrestees were identified as Jharna Chakma Jiana, 27, Liu Hui Zhang, 46, Wei Yuji, 30, and She Yi Ran, 42.