Reports of two abandoned bomb-like objects found beneath the Mirpur-10 and Farmgate metro rail stations in the capital on Saturday morning triggered panic among people.
Upon receiving the information, the respective police stations under the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), senior police officials and the Bomb Disposal Unit of the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) Division rushed to the scenes and strengthened security measures, said a DMP press release.
The CTTC Bomb Disposal Unit responded immediately after receiving information about a bomb-like object at the Mirpur-10 metro rail station.
An X-ray examination of the suspicious bag revealed the image of a canister-like object inside.
Following the standard operating procedure (SOP), members of the Bomb Disposal Unit used a frangible disruptor to safely neutralise the suspected object.
A subsequent inspection of the bag found that it contained a tin of chewing tobacco (zarda) and betel leaf. No explosives or other hazardous materials were recovered.
Additional Deputy Commissioner (Mirpur Division) of DMP Farzina Nasrin said the Bomb Disposal Unit responded immediately after being informed about the suspected explosive.
"After examination, it was found that the object was not an explosive. It was an empty zarda container," she said.
Normal movement at the station resumed after the area was declared safe.
Besides, suspicion arose over an abandoned sack in Tejgaon Police Station area, prompting authorities to alert the Bomb Disposal Unit. The team quickly arrived at the scene, assessed the situation and ensured necessary security before conducting a manual inspection of the sack.
The examination confirmed that the sack contained no explosives or any dangerous materials.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of city residents and urged the public not to panic over unverified reports of suspicious objects.
Earlier, a crude improvised explosive device, locally known as a "chhata bomb," was recovered beneath the Motijheel Metro Rail Station on July 24. The bomb was later defused by the DMP Bomb Disposal Unit, and one passer-by was injured in the incident.