Bangladesh Issues Nationwide Alert Over Possible Attacks on Police Vehicles Ahead of August 5 Anniversary

Bangladesh Police has issued a nationwide alert over possible terrorist or extremist attacks targeting police vehicles ahead of the second anniversary of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ouster on August 5. The internal directive, issued by the Operations Control Branch (OCB) based on intelligence inputs, has prompted heightened security nationwide, though authorities have not disclosed the source of the threat.

Police Headquarters has directed all units to strengthen surveillance and ensure the safety of official vehicles, including jeeps, trucks and buses. The order says no government vehicle should be left unattended, even inside police stations, while vehicles halted temporarily must remain under constant supervision in secure locations. Patrols and vigilance have also been increased to prevent sabotage.

The alert comes as Bangladesh prepares to mark two years since Hasina's Awami League government was toppled following violent student-led protests in August 2024. She later fled to India, and the interim government barred the Awami League from contesting elections.

Security concerns have intensified after police recovered a powerful improvised explosive device (IED) hidden inside an abandoned umbrella beneath Motijheel Metro Rail Station in Dhaka last month. Investigators said the device contained about 1.5 kilograms of sulphur, batteries, an electrical circuit and metal fragments, and was designed to explode when the umbrella was opened. Bomb disposal experts safely neutralised it, while two other suspicious bags found at metro stations later contained only betel leaves and tobacco. Police have registered a case under the Explosives Act and are examining CCTV footage, but no arrests have been made.

Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime chief Mohammad Shamsul Haque said there is no specific intelligence of an August 5 attack, but authorities remain on maximum alert using intelligence, online and social media monitoring. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said every suspicious object is being investigated and stressed that the overall law and order situation remains under control. No attacks on police vehicles or claims of responsibility have been reported so far.