No major sabotage threat expected in December: SRB

The Special Response Battalion (SRB) does not currently anticipate any major sabotage attempts in December, although security operations are continuing in coordination with other law enforcement agencies, a senior official has said.

Wing Commander M Z M Intikhab Chowdhury, director of the SRB's Legal and Media Wing, made the remarks while responding to questions at a press conference at the SRB Media Centre in Karwan Bazar, Dhaka, on Sunday afternoon.

"We do not currently anticipate any major threat surrounding December. We are in the field and working shoulder to shoulder with other law enforcement agencies," he said, assuring the public that the country's law and order situation would remain normal.

Responding to a question about the recent security situation in Khulna, Chowdhury said several incidents had taken place there in recent days. Different teams of SRB-6 are conducting operations in the area, both in uniform and plain clothes, to bring criminals and armed suspects to justice.

He said several SRB operations in Khulna had been successful in recent days, although not all could be covered at the press conference.

He added that efforts were ongoing to arrest those involved in crimes and killings and restore normalcy in the area.

Asked about intelligence on the political identities of criminals or their links to terrorist organisations, Chowdhury said such information could not be disclosed publicly.

He explained that intelligence teams begin working as soon as information about a possible crime is received. Operational teams then collect eyewitness accounts, evidence, information through technology and other relevant materials before verifying the findings and conducting operations.

On security measures across the country, he said SRB operations were continuing at field level. Temporary checkpoints have been set up at different locations in Dhaka and elsewhere, particularly in the evening and at night, with extensive searches being conducted.

Mobile patrols and foot patrols are also continuing, he added.

Chowdhury said the battalion was analysing the times of day when sabotage incidents were more frequent and increasing mobile patrols and checkpoints accordingly.

He also said the SRB's cyber monitoring team was keeping round-the-clock watch on online misinformation and misleading campaigns. After verifying information, operational teams take steps to bring those responsible under the law.

sks