Bomb panic in Savar: 17 explosives recovered in 12 days

17 powerful bombs were recovered from three separated locations in Savar and Ashulia over the past 12 days, making the locals gripped with panic. 

One person was detained in the period by law enforcers. Moreover, leaflets of the banned militant outfit Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) were also seized alongside the explosives.

Latest incident could be traced back to Tuesday night, when police a powerful pressure-cooker bomb wrapped in duct tape from a barren place in front of Jami'a Ilmul Ilah Society Madrasa and Jame Mosque at Laltak Gop'er Bari in Bongaon union of Savar.

On the same night, police raided Shyampur and Hemayetpur under Tetuljhora union in Savar, seizing 14 pipe bombs and a large quantity of bomb-making materials.

Police arrested Arif Hossain, 28, from Hemayetpur. Five pipe bombs were recovered from his possession during the arrest, while nine more pipe bombs were seized from a nearby house based on his statement.

Earlier on July 30, police recovered a pressure-cooker bomb wrapped in duct tape from a travel bag in front of 'Jayi General Store' at Charabag in Ashulia. A bomb disposal unit of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) later safely detonated it in an open field.

Local residents said three men on a battery-run three-wheeler arrived at the madrasa site at around 1:00AM on Tuesday during a power outage, dumped a drum in the jungle, and fled toward Sadhapur.

Sensing suspicious activity, local residents, teachers, and students inspected the drum and found a pressure-cooker bomb wrapped in duct tape, copies of the Quran, wires, clothes, a diary, snacks, and a remote control labeled 'R1'.

The bomb, weighing an estimated 15 kilograms, was moved to an open field for safety. However, locals noted that unidentified persons returned on a three-wheeler around 6:00AM and took away the drum and remote control before police arrived.

DMP's bomb disposal unit later arrived at the spot and safely neutralized the pressure-cooker bomb in a controlled explosion, which vibrated the surrounding area.

Savar Police Station Inspector (Investigation) Noor Mohammad said an investigation is underway to identify the origin of the explosives, those involved in making them, and the connection to the recovered JMB leaflets.

-SA