United News of Bangladesh

Dhaka may witness a shift in its crime patterns in the coming weeks ahead of the national election as the intelligence agencies are apprehending a rise in acts of sabotage, arson attacks and politically-driven violence. In recent weeks, parts of the capital have experienced scattered incidents of crude bomb explosions, arson on vehicles and attempts to spread fear which the law enforcers see as early indicators of pre-election unrest. Additional Commissioner of DMP’s Detective Branch (DB) Shafiqul Islam said political groups which have been facing restrictions on activities may try to carry out bomb and arson attacks in Dhaka ahead of the polls to create an environment of fear. Read more: Awami League using looted money for acts of sabotage: Rizvi He said the government’s main mandate is to hold a free, fair and acceptable election and attempts may be made to derail or discredit that process. Intelligence Monitoring Strengthened The DB chief said several people linked to the recent arson and crude bomb blast incidents have been arrested who have given important clues about ongoing sabotage plans. “Interrogations have revealed the names of several instigators. They are being brought under the ambit of law,” he added. To prevent similar attacks, DB has strengthened surveillance through CCTV networks, human intelligence, electronic intelligence and coordinated field operations across the capital. Social Media Under Watch With the election approaching fast, law enforcers expect a spike in disinformation, manipulated videos and fabricated content on social media. Police submits chargesheets in 106 cases linked to July 2024 uprising Shafiqul Islam said a 24/7 monitoring committee made up of representatives from Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), National Security Intelligence (NSI) and other agencies is working to detect and address harmful content in real time. Any adverse material is being handled immediately, he said. Petty Crimes Stable According to DB, petty crimes such as theft and mugging remain generally under control in Dhaka. Shafiqul Islam said a few recent killings were linked to internal disputes among underworld groups. He stressed that these incidents do not reflect the city’s wider homicide trend and intelligence assessments show no major rise in petty crimes. Another senior official at DMP headquarters preferring not to be named said communal incitement and rumor campaigns may increase before the polls. He said political rallies may also carry a higher risk of clashes, prompting agencies to increase intelligence deployment before each event. Why Acts of Sabotage Rise Intelligence officials say targeted violence often rises before elections as political tension increases. Arson attacks on busy routes are often planned to cause maximum public fear. Suspect in Pallabi Jubo Dal leader murder dies after arrest Crude bombs are also used to create pressure and send political signals without large-scale damage, the DMP official said. He said sudden confrontations may escalate tensions and disrupt the electoral environment while propaganda campaigns on social media may attempt to mislead voters. On preparedness, he said law enforcement agencies have already intensified preventive steps. These include increased patrols on major transport routes, deployment of more plainclothes intelligence officers in politically sensitive zones, active automated systems for cyber monitoring and focused surveillance in trouble-prone areas. DB officials said enhanced surveillance, quick arrests and coordinated intelligence actions are expected to keep the overall situation under control. Read more: Saboteurs to be declared ‘Unwanted’ in Dhaka: DMP Commissioner 

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Monday (November 17) alleged that the fascist Awami League is using ‘money looted from various banks and mega projects’ to buy cocktails and carry out acts of sabotage. “Those who committed crimes during the fascist era are now the ones shamelessly setting buses on fire. Cocktails are being bought with money looted from different banks. Funds misappropriated from projects like the Padma Bridge and Metro Rail are being used to finance acts of sabotage,” he said. The BNP leader made the remarks while speaking at a press briefing at the party’s Nayapaltan central office. During the fascist rule, he said the Awami League controlled the media and carried out vicious propaganda against BNP leaders and activists who were fighting for democracy, falsely linking them to arson attacks. “Even then, we repeatedly said that pro-democracy people had no connection with these arson incidents, and BNP leaders and activists had no involvement. We also presented clear evidence at the time that pro-democracy activists and the BNP had absolutely no link to arson violence,” he said. The BNP leader said the true perpetrators of arson violence are now visible to everyone. Read more: Tarique hails Australian MPs’ call for democracy, election integrity in Bangladesh He said their party wants a peaceful Bangladesh where people of all opinions can speak freely, and where elections take place smoothly, fairly, and in an inclusive environment. Rizvi said the crimes committed during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure must face due punishment. “If Sheikh Hasina is properly punished for her crimes, it will stand as a powerful example. The previous fascist government controlled the media to spread propaganda. People believe there will be no more dictated courts like in Sheikh Hasina’s era. The country’s people want fair justice, and they are now witnessing it and will continue to witness it,” he said. He recalled the brutal mass killings during the July–August uprising carried out by the Hasina regime using law enforcement agencies. “We still remember how Abu Sayed, Mugdho, and Waseem Akram were brutally murdered, and how many children were mercilessly killed. Those horrific memories remain with us.” The BNP leader alleged that Sheikh Hasina has been making unfair statements from India to create chaos in Bangladesh. “Why is India allowing this? By sheltering a criminal and giving her the scope to incite violence and carry out subversive activities against Bangladesh, India is violating the law. The people of Bangladesh do not view this positively. Such behaviour is unacceptable.” Replying to a question, Rizvi said, as in the previous year, instructions have been given not to hold any programmes, including cutting any cake, on Tuesday (20 November) to mark BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s birthday. Read more: Fakhrul calls for resistance against ‘vested quarter’ ahead of Hasina verdict

The fire at the Bangladesh Secretariat, the country’s administrative nerve centre and a Key Point Installation (KPI) area, has raised serious concerns among political leaders, administrative officials and people from various professions, many of whom suspect it was a planned act. The late night blaze, which broke out on Wednesday (Dec 25) in the Secretariat’s Building No. 7, has left the nation, including the government’s high-ranking officials, deeply worried. The fire destroyed vital documents of five key ministries and prompted questions about whether this was an accident or a deliberate act of sabotage. Suspicions of Sabotage Witnesses and officials working in the Secretariat expressed doubts about the nature of the fire. Witnesses said that the fire started simultaneously in two separate locations, further fuelling suspicion. Many questioned how such an incident could occur in an area with strict security measures, including numerous security guards and personnel from intelligence agencies. Former officials and fire experts also raised questions. Brigadier General (retd) Ali Ahmed Khan, a former Director General of Fire Service and Civil Defence, told UNB, “This is not a simple accident. Fires like this are rarely accidental. The way the fire spread simultaneously in multiple places indicates deliberate arson.” He pointed out that, as a KPI area, the Secretariat is under constant surveillance. “There were over 100 security personnel inside and outside. How could no one notice the fire at its early stages? This raises serious doubts,” he added. Brigadier General (retd) Abu Nayeem Md Shahidullah echoed these concerns, calling the incident a “clear case of sabotage” and suggesting the fire was intended to destroy important documents needed for ongoing investigations. Concerns About Security and Firefighting Major (retd) AKM Shakil Nawaz, a former Director of Operations at Fire Service and Civil Defence, criticised the delay in extinguishing the fire, which took over ten hours. He said, “This is unbelievable for a KPI area. Fires caused by accidents usually occur in one place, not three simultaneously.” Fire Service officials admitted that they faced challenges entering the Secretariat premises due to the size of their vehicles. Read: Secretariat fire: Administrative Service Association demands punishment for perpetrators Brigadier General Muhammad Zahid Kamal, the current Director General of Fire Service, explained, “We had to break gates to allow larger vehicles inside. Despite deploying 20 units, the fire engulfed four floors entirely." Impact on Ministries and Investigations The affected floors housed critical departments, including the Youth and Sports Ministry, the Labour and Employment Ministry, the Local Government Division, and the Road Transport and Highways Division. The destruction of important files has sparked fears of setbacks in administrative and legal processes. In response, several committees have been formed to investigate the fire. An internal committee by the Fire Service, a government-formed high-level investigation team, and additional committees within individual ministries will submit reports within a few days. Political Reactions The fire occurred amid ongoing unrest within the administration, including demands for the resignation of the Chairman of the Public Administration Reform Commission. Some political leaders and activists have linked the incident to broader conspiracies. BNP leaders, including Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, expressed doubts about the timing of the fire. “This fire, destroying vital documents, comes after demands for critical files. People have serious questions about this incident,” said Rizvi. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir called for a thorough investigation to identify those responsible. “This tragic incident, which has resulted in the loss of key documents, is deeply concerning,” he said. Government Response The interim government has assured people that the incident will be investigated thoroughly. Local Government Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan described the fire as a “planned conspiracy” and vowed to hold those responsible accountable. Read more: Secretariat Fire: 2 committees to assess damages to Labour Ministry documents, assets Meanwhile, Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said that CCTV footage from all affected offices is being analysed. A high-level committee, chaired by the Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs and including experts from the military, police, and academia, will submit a preliminary report within three days. Public Outrage and Social Media Reaction The incident has ignited widespread discussions on social media, with many expressing doubts about the official narrative. Some have criticised the government’s preparedness, while others questioned how such a devastating fire could occur in a highly secure area. Next Steps As investigations progress, the public and political figures await answers to the many questions raised by the incident. The committees’ findings will likely determine whether the fire was a tragic accident or part of a more sinister plot. Read more:  Initial report on secretariat fire to be submitted in 3 days: Rizwana The fire serves as a grim reminder of the vulnerabilities within even the most secure establishments and the need for heightened vigilance in critical times, experts said.

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) on Thursday arrested seven more people, including BNP leaders and activists, from  different parts of the country  in connection with their alleged involvement in vandalism, arson and sabotage during the nationwide blockade and shutdown, enforced by BNP and other like-minded parties. Md Shakhawat Islam , convenor of Narayanganj Metropolitan Swechasebak Dal, and Md Gias Uddin, convenor of Uttar Madarsha union Jubo Dal of Chattogram, were among the arrestees. 48 hr blockade: 418 RAB patrol teams deployed They were arrested from Dhaka's Sutrapur and Chattogram's Hathazari area, respectively. Five others were arrested from different parts of the country, said RAB Headquarters Legal and Media Wing Assistant Director ASP Al Amin. So far, RAB has arrested a total of 847 people in connection with violence and sabotage in different parts of the country, including the attack and sabotage on October 28. 6 more arrested over political violence, sabotage: RAB Meanwhile, 418 RAB patrol teams, including 126 in the capital, have been deployed across the country in order to prevent violence and vandalism and to maintain the law and order situation. The elite force is providing security for passenger and goods transport, long-distance public transport, and cargo transport by patrolling in different parts of the country. 820 arrested by RAB since Oct. 28 for political violence, sabotage; mostly BNP In addition, RAB's intelligence surveillance is continuing in important places, including bus stands and railway stations, to prevent any kind of vandalism and violence, said the RAB official.

Director General of the Fire Service and Civil Defense Department Brig General Md Moin Uddin has urged the intelligence agencies to investigate whether there was any sabotage behind the recent series of fire incidents. He said this while replying to a question from journalists after a fire broke out in New Supermarket near New Market early Saturday (April 15, 2023) morning. "We're working for you with risks. One after another fire incident is taking place. I will call on the intelligence agencies to check if there is any sabotage,” he said. Read more: Fire at Dhaka’s New Supermarket now under control The fire broke out on the third floor of New Supermarket and the members of the Border Guard Bangladesh fire service, police, Rapid Action Battalion, army, air force, Dhaka WASA water-carrying vehicles, were working to bring the fire under control, he added. “We still don't know why the fire broke out here. We have brought the fire under control but could not douse it,” said Brig Gen Moin adding that they are facing difficulty to bring the fire under control because of onlookers. "If everyone remains aware at every level, then it is possible to survive the fire. High volt bulbs are used here. Accidents happen because they are not aware. We urge shop owners in all markets to refrain from using high-voltage lights,” the fire service DG said. Read More: Fire at Barishal Plaza, opposite Bangabazar Market, doused

A Khulna court on Wednesday sent 66 leaders and activists of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) including the party’s Khulna city unit member secretary Shafiqul Alam Tuhin to jail in three sabotage cases.  Khulna Additional Metropolitan and Sessions Judge SM Ashiqur Rahman passed the order turning down their bail pleas, BNP’s counsel Lawyer Touhidur Rahman Tushar told UNB. Read more: Simultaneous Movement: BNP rally begins at Dhaka’s Nayapaltan Khulna Metropolitan BNP convenor Shafiqul Alam Mona alleged that the police filed a case in every police station in Khulna on charges of sabotage to thwart BNP's divisional rally in Dhaka on December 10. In these cases, about 50 leaders and activists were arrested and imprisoned for a long time while others secured six weeks' anticipatory bail from the High Court. Meanwhile, hundreds of leaders and activists of BNP and affiliated organisations present on the court premises became agitated following the court order. Read more: Tenth-grader in Ctg jail after getting picked up at BNP rally They brought out a procession demanding withdrawal of the ‘false and fabricated cases’, unconditional release of their activists and resignation of the illegal government.

Police on Sunday arrested 31 leaders and activists of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing Islami Chattra Shibir from a procession they brought out as part of their ‘ongoing anti-government movement’ in station area of Dinajpur town. Leaders and activists of different areas of Jamaat-Shibir brought out a protest procession around 7 am demanding the release of party leaders and activists from , said Tanvirul Islam Tanvir, officer-in-charge (OC) of Kotwali police station. Read more: Jamaat, Shibir men clash with police over holding mass procession in Malibagh Police arrested 31 people when they tried to escape on a bus sensing police presence. The leaders and activists from various areas including Chiribandar Debiganj were gathering in the town and trying to carry out sabotage, said the OC. The police also seized the bus, he added. Read more: 150 Jamaat-Shibir men sued, 6 held over attack on police in Rajshahi Legal action is underway against the detainees in this regard, said OC Tanvir.

Awami League General Secretary and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader alleged that opposition BNP is preparing for major attacks and sabotage across the country. "Militancy in the country seems inactive but BNP is active in disguise. Detectives have such information," he said. He said this during an exchange of views with reporters after a meeting at Setu Bhaban in the capital on Thursday. Read more: AL to stay on streets to prevent BNP’s anarchy: Quader  Quader said that BNP does not need to rescue democracy again as democracy has been freed long ago under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He said that BNP should be banned for lying and conspiracy, not Awami League. The AL leader said his party will remain on the streets to protect people's lives and property and continue their mass campaign and peace rally until election. He said that Awami League does not call counter-programme as his party has no desire to clash with BNP. Read more: If BNP comes to power 1971 spirit will vanish: Quader BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday urged Awami League to refrain from holding counter programmes on the days of BNP and other opposition parties’ programmes. “Please do not hold any counter programmes and obstruct those. Awami League and the government have to take the responsibility if any untoward situation is created for this reason,” the BNP leader said. Before this, the board meeting of Bangladesh Bridge Authority was held at Setu Bhaban. In the meeting, it was decided to exempt toll only to the President on all bridges including Padma Bridge.

Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) leaders and activists of Dhaka University unit beat up some Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) activists when they attempted to enter the campus around 10 am this morning. The incident took place in front of Sir AF Rahman Hall. Later, the JCD activists were handed over to the Shahbagh police station on “suspicion of sabotage”. Riazul Islam, President of Sir AF Rahman Hall Chhatra League unit, said, “After checking their mobile phones, we were confirmed that they were JCD activists, and we handed them over to the police.” Read more: BNP activists, locals complain of internet service disruption in and around Golapbagh rally venue

Fires burned and ammunition exploded at a depot in Crimea on Wednesday, a day after the latest suspected Ukrainian attack on a military site in the Russia-annexed peninsula, highlighting the challenges facing Moscow. The peninsula, which Russia seized in 2014, was once a secure base that Moscow’s forces have used to launch attacks — and it was a staging ground for the start of the Feb. 24 invasion. But in recent days, explosions have destroyed several Russian planes at an air base in Crimea, and munitions blew up Tuesday. Ukrainian authorities have stopped short of publicly claiming responsibility, but President Volodymyr Zelenskyy alluded to Ukrainian attacks behind enemy lines after the most recent blasts Tuesday while Russia blamed “sabotage.” The spate of attacks represented the latest setback for Moscow, which began its invasion with hopes of taking the capital of Kyiv and much of the country in a lightning blitz but soon became bogged down in the face of fiercer than expected resistance from Ukrainian forces. As the war nears the half-year mark, the sides are now engaged in a war of attrition, fighting village to village, largely in the country's east. The attacks in Crimea could open a new front that would represent a significant escalation in the war and further stretch Russia's military resources. “Russian commanders will highly likely be increasingly concerned with the apparent deterioration in security across Crimea, which functions as rear base area for the occupation," Britain's Defense ministry wrote on Twitter. But it was not clear whether the attacks in Crimea would unblock the stalemate, as Ukrainian and Russian forces grind each other down in a war that has driven millions from their homes, disrupted food supplies worldwide and occasionally raised concerns about a nuclear accident. Read:Ukrainians flee grim life in Russian-occupied Kherson On Thursday, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres plans to travel to Ukraine for a meeting with Zelenskyy and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss getting out grain shipments that are critical to feeding the world's hungry. They are also expected to talk about a possible fact-finding mission to the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which Moscow and Kyiv have accused each other of shelling. Tuesday's explosions and fires ripped through an ammunition depot near Dzhankoi in Crimea, leading to chaotic scenes when around 3,000 people had to be evacuated. As a vivid reminder of Russia's vulnerability in Crimea, the peninsula's regional leader, Sergei Aksyonov, said that authorities were still fighting the fires Wednesday with a helicopter, as minutions continued to detonate. He said that a search for perpetrators of the attack was underway. The Kommersant business paper also reported explosions Tuesday at a base in Gvardeyskoye. By Wednesday, there still was no comment from the Russian authorities. The British intelligence report noted that Gvardeyskoye and Dzhankoi “are home to two of the most important Russian military airfields in Crimea.” A week earlier, Russia's military came under pressure on the peninsula when Ukraine said nine Russian warplanes were destroyed following explosions at Crimea's Saki air base. The massive explosions sent plumes of smoke rising over nearby beaches and caused sunbathers to flee. At the time, Moscow suggested that the blasts were accidental, perhaps caused by a careless smoker, an explanation that drew mockery from Ukrainian authorities who hinted at their involvement in the attack but didn't directly claim responsibility. On the eastern front, the stalemate continued, with the shelling causing ever more death and destruction. In the Donetsk region that is the current focus of the Russian offensive, two civilians were killed and seven others were wounded by recent Russian shelling of several towns and villages. Meanwhile, in the south, Russian long-range bombers fired cruise missiles at the Odesa region overnight, leaving four people injured, according to regional administration spokesman Oleh Bratchuk. In Mykolaiv, also in the south, two Russian missiles damaged a university building early Wednesday but injured no one. The Russian forces also shelled Kharkiv in the northeast and various parts of the surrounding region overnight, damaging residential buildings and civilian infrastructure but inflicting no casualties.