Unidentified miscreants set fire to two passenger buses parked along a main thoroughfare in the Pallabi area of the capital early on Wednesday morning. The targeted vehicles belonged to Bikolpa Paribahan and Abhijat Paribahan, two prominent local public transport operators. Though no casualties were reported, the sudden arson attack damaged both buses and caused a wave of anxiety amongst morning commuters and local residents.
The incident occurred at approximately 6:40 am near the Phulkolii intersection in Section 12 under Pallabi Police Station. According to police reports, both vehicles were stationary along the roadside when the perpetrators ignited the fires under cover of the early morning dusk before fleeing the scene unnoticed. Alerted by rising smoke, local residents rushed to the spot with buckets of water and managed to douse the flames before fire service units arrived, preventing a complete disaster.
The extent of the damage varies significantly between the two vehicles. The Bikolpa Paribahan bus (bearing registration plate Dhaka Metro-B 11-9256) suffered severe structural and interior damage, leaving its seating, window glass, and exterior bodywork heavily charred. Police estimate financial losses for this vehicle at between 800,000 and 1,000,000 Bangladeshi taka. In contrast, the Abhijat Paribahan bus (registration plate Dhaka Metro-B 15-0144) sustained partial damage, primarily to its rear window panes, seat covers, and upholstery, with estimated repair costs standing at around 50,000 taka.
Jalal Uddin, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Pallabi Police Station, confirmed the details of the arson, stating that the attack appeared designed purely to instill public fear and destabilise normal civic life. Senior police officers inspected the crime scene shortly after the flames were extinguished, gathering physical evidence and reviewing local surveillance footage. No arrests have been made so far, but law enforcement authorities confirmed that targeted operations are currently underway across the district to identify and apprehend those responsible. Security around key bus stands and parking areas in Mirpur and Pallabi has been stepped up to prevent further sabotage.
