Cocktail Attacks and Vehicle Fires Erupt Across Bangladesh

Amid heightened political tension surrounding the verdict in the first case against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina over allegations of crimes against humanity, Bangladesh witnessed widespread incidents of arson and Molotov cocktail attacks on Sunday. Seven vehicles, including buses, a truck, a covered van, and an ambulance, were set ablaze in various districts including Sylhet, Mymensingh, Kushtia, and Savar, near the capital Dhaka.

The capital itself was not spared. Around 9:00 pm, Molotov cocktails were thrown on Central Road outside the residence of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan. Further explosions were reported at 9:40 pm in Banglamotor and at multiple locations in Shyampur, where one person, identified as Mehedi, sustained injuries. Additional incidents occurred in Gabtoli and Mahakhali’s Amtola area.

Earlier in the evening, two Molotov cocktails were hurled near the Circle Fountain in Karwan Bazar, causing no damage. In the morning, at 8:30 am, a passer-by, Abdul Basir, was injured in a Molotov attack outside the Wakf Bhaban on New Eskaton Road.

In a related incident, late Saturday night, three petrol bombs were thrown at a Grameen Bank branch in Baratoba Market, Shreepur, Gazipur, resulting in minor damage to the bank’s signboard. Molotov incidents were also reported in Tongi and Feni, including a fire at the July Memorial in Feni early Sunday morning.

Authorities have deployed the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in Dhaka, Gopalganj, Faridpur, and Madaripur to maintain public order. The police emphasised that the preventive measures are aimed at stopping banned political groups from attempting further acts of sabotage during the verdict proceedings.

Since last week, a total of 36 vehicles have been targeted across the country, including 30 buses, two pick-ups, two trucks, an ambulance, and a covered van. One driver in Mymensingh tragically lost his life in one of the fires.

Despite calls for a countrywide shutdown by opposition groups, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) reported no major public disruptions, apart from tree blockades in Madaripur. On Sunday, 18 individuals were arrested in Dhaka in connection with violent incidents, bringing the total arrests over the past eight days to 197 members associated with the banned political organisations.

Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury stated that law enforcement is fully prepared to prevent any form of disorder and ensure public safety across the country.