2 pipe bombs recovered in Demra

Law enforcers recovered two live pipe bombs from a suspected militant associate in Demra, raising fresh concerns among counterterrorism officials about attempts to reorganise militant networks in the country.

The explosives were later taken under control by a bomb-disposal team of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit. The team carried out controlled explosions after securing the area and taking necessary safety measures.

Police arrested a suspected associate of a banned militant group in Demra on Sunday and recovered two live pipe bombs, raising fresh concerns over attempts to revive militant networks.

Juel Bhuiyan, 26, alias “Ostad,” was detained during a raid in Nizumbagh, Boxnagar. Another man was also detained during the operation.

A CTTC bomb-disposal team later disposed of the explosives through controlled explosions. No one was injured.

A CTTC official said Juel was believed to be closely associated with Nazmul Hasan Mamun, alias “Bomaru Mamun,” who is under investigation over several recent bomb-related incidents.

Juel had previously been arrested in a 2023 Anti-Terrorism Act case and was in Narsingdi Jail during the July 2024 prison escape. After his recapture and transfer to Kashimpur Jail, he allegedly came into contact with Mamun, investigators said.

Mamun was previously accused in connection with the 2017 Hotel Olio suicide attack in Dhaka but was acquitted by a court in January.

Police have since suspected his links to several recent explosions and bomb recoveries, including incidents in Keraniganj, Cumilla, Sayedabad and Savar.

On August 11, police arrested a man in Savar with six pipe bombs in a case in which Mamun and five others were named.

The latest recovery in Demra has prompted investigators to examine whether suspected militants are attempting to rebuild their operational network.