A wave of coordinated cocktail explosions and arson attacks struck four locations across Dhaka on Tuesday night, heightening public alarm over the deteriorating law and order situation. Unidentified assailants targeted Asadgate, Adabar, Mohakhali, and the Tejgaon industrial area, while a bus was set ablaze near the National Zoo in Mirpur. Authorities also recovered an unexploded cocktail behind Zahurul Haque Hall at Dhaka University, marking a significant escalation in recent acts of sabotage.

Intelligence reports indicate that 22 vehicles were torched across the country within a 24-hour period ending Tuesday morning. During this timeframe, at least 28 cocktail explosions were recorded nationwide, with 19 of these incidents occurring within the Dhaka metropolitan area. These coordinated attacks have created widespread panic among city residents as security agencies struggle to contain the surge in violence.

Details of the Attacks

Witnesses reported that two individuals on a motorcycle hurled explosives in front of a filling station at Asadgate before fleeing the scene. Similar tactics were employed at the Walton Plaza in Adabar, the Mohakhali bus stand, and the S.R. Enterprise filling station in Tejgaon. Law enforcement officials confirmed that the perpetrators managed to escape immediately after each blast, leaving no suspects in custody.

Government officials have attributed the ongoing sabotage to elements associated with the banned Awami League, alleging that these destructive acts are intended to incite political instability.

In response to the violence, the government has placed law enforcement agencies on high alert to suppress further unrest. Police headquarters and the Dhaka Metropolitan Police have intensified investigative efforts to identify the perpetrators and strengthen security measures across the capital. Authorities are now preparing special operations to dismantle the networks responsible for these attacks and bring those involved to justice.

The repeated escape of murder suspect Shariful Islam from Dhaka court premises has exposed critical vulnerabilities in the nation’s judicial security framework. The recurring incidents of prisoners fleeing or being snatched from custody highlight a systemic failure in the current protective measures, raising serious questions about the efficacy of police surveillance and courtroom protocols.

Data indicates that at least eight major incidents involving prisoner escapes or snatching have occurred within Dhaka courts between 2021 and 2026. The back-to-back escapes of Shariful Islam on October 6 and Kawsar Mia the following day serve as stark evidence that existing security arrangements are no longer sufficient to maintain order within the judicial complex.

Root Causes of Security Lapses

Law enforcement officials and court insiders attribute these failures to a severe shortage of manpower and the diversion of police resources toward the protection of high-profile political figures. This imbalance leaves standard criminal cases with inadequate security coverage, while the use of outdated handcuffs, insufficient CCTV coverage, and alleged negligence by duty officers further exacerbate the risk of escapes.

Security experts argue that the current situation is not merely an administrative oversight but a direct threat to the rule of law. Without the immediate implementation of rigorous security protocols, including digital surveillance and restricted access for visitors, the trend of prisoners fleeing from court premises will remain difficult to curb.

While authorities typically respond to such breaches by suspending duty officers or forming investigation committees, these measures have proven insufficient for long-term reform. Experts emphasize that addressing the issue requires a comprehensive overhaul, including the provision of modern security equipment, increased staffing, and strict enforcement of rules prohibiting unauthorized contact between prisoners and their visitors.

A woman was killed and another sustained critical injuries during a violent clash over a warehouse occupation in Kaliganj, Lalmonirhat, on November 11. The incident occurred at 3:00 am when a group of 20 to 25 armed individuals allegedly stormed the facility, following a long-standing business dispute between the parties involved. Police have since recovered the body and sent it for an autopsy while the injured victim remains under treatment at Rangpur Medical College Hospital.

The victim, identified as the aunt of local businessman Ashraful Islam Raju, died at the scene during the midnight attack. Raju reported that the conflict stems from a business relationship with one Nurul Islam dating back to 2014, involving land sales and financial settlements. He alleged that influential figures attempted to seize the warehouse without resolving outstanding debts, leading to multiple prior confrontations.

Failure of police protection

Despite filing formal complaints with the local police station regarding death threats, the victim’s family claimed that authorities failed to provide adequate security. The attackers reportedly used domestic weapons and heavy-duty cutting tools to breach the warehouse during the assault. This lack of intervention has sparked significant public outrage and fear among local residents, who are now demanding immediate justice for the deceased.

Ashraful Islam Raju said, “We sought protection from the police after receiving multiple death threats, but no effective measures were taken to prevent this tragedy.”

Kaliganj Police Station officials confirmed that they have received a written complaint and have initiated an investigation into the incident. Authorities stated that they are working to identify the perpetrators involved in the attack. Meanwhile, community members continue to call for the swift arrest and prosecution of those responsible to restore order in the area.