Crude bomb blasts reported at multiple points across capital

A series of crude bomb explosions was reported at several points in Dhaka today (18 September), with blasts reported in Malibagh, Mohakhali and Jatrabari, while police were investigating an explosion heard in Agargaon.

The incidents began in the afternoon and continued into the evening, with the latest blasts reported in front of Jatrabari Police Station around 7:40pm.

Two crude bombs exploded on the main road near Malibagh Rail Gate around 3pm after they were allegedly thrown from a three-storey flyover, according to police.

“Two crude bombs were thrown from the three-storey flyover at around 3pm. They fell on the road and exploded,” Shahjahanpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Amirul Islam told The Business Standard.

Another crude bomb exploded in the Amtoli area around 5:45pm after it was allegedly thrown from the Mohakhali flyover, said Banani Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Faridul Islam.

“We are looking into who was behind the explosion,” he told TBS.

An explosion was also heard in front of Betar Bhaban in Agargaon in the evening. Police have yet to establish whether it was caused by a crude bomb or a firecracker.

Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Monirul Islam said police had received information about the blast but had not recovered any evidence from the scene.

“No evidence has been recovered from the scene yet,” he said.

Multiple blasts near Jatrabari Police Station

Around 7:40pm, several blasts were heard near the main gate of Jatrabari Police Station.

Mohsin Masud Rana, additional deputy commissioner of the Demra Zone under the Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Wari Division, said police at the station had informed him about the explosions.

Jatrabari Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Raju said officers heard four to five crude bomb blasts in front of the station.

“We are investigating the matter. More details will be provided later,” he said.

Similar incidents reported earlier this month

The latest blasts follow a series of similar incidents reported in Dhaka earlier this month.

On 15 September, a crude bomb exploded outside the Supreme Court shortly after the International Crimes Tribunal sentenced seven people, including banned Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, to death for crimes against humanity during the 2024 July Uprising. The explosion occurred between 1:15pm and 1:20pm.

Later that night, three explosions were heard on the Dhaka University campus around 10:45pm.

Dhaka University Acting Proctor Associate Professor Israfil Prang said two explosions were heard in quick succession on the road in front of Jagannath Hall, followed by another about eight to 10 minutes later.

“The explosions were initially suspected to have been caused by crude bombs,” he told TBS, adding that the university’s assistant proctors and police personnel were at the scene.

Earlier, on 11 September, crude bomb explosions were also reported in the Gulshan Police Station area. Police later seized five crude bombs from the scene.