Suspected Explosives Recovered at Elephant Road Intersection in Dhaka

Police have secured several cocktail-like objects found inside an abandoned shopping bag at the busy Bata Signal intersection on Elephant Road under New Market Police Station in the capital.

The recovery occurred around 10:00 pm on Monday, 17 August, along the roadside leading from Bata Signal towards New Market. Eyewitnesses reported seeing a group of young men wearing face masks engaged in a physical scuffle at the spot shortly before the discovery. Following the altercation, the individuals dispersed, leaving behind a discarded shopping bag on the pavement. Local passers-by noticed several items wrapped tightly in red tape inside the bag and promptly alerted law enforcement authorities.

Police personnel arrived swiftly at the scene, cordoning off the immediate vicinity to maintain public safety and prevent onlookers from approaching the suspect package. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Bomb Disposal Unit was immediately summoned to safely inspect and neutralize the objects. Technicians from the specialized unit conducted preliminary tests on-site to determine the nature of the materials and mitigate potential risks to surrounding commercial establishments.

Police officials have yet to issue a formal press statement regarding the exact chemical composition of the recovered objects or the identity of the suspects involved in the incident.

Incidents involving improvised explosive devices, commonly referred to as cocktails, have historically surfaced during periods of political tension or localized criminal disputes in urban transit hubs like Elephant Road. The high-density commercial corridor, known for its heavy footfall and proximity to major educational institutions and retail markets, remains under heightened police surveillance while investigative agencies review CCTV footage to track down the masked individuals involved in the scuffle.