Series of Cocktail Bomb Blasts Terrorise Dhaka Residents

Dhaka was rocked on Saturday by a series of cocktail bomb explosions across three major districts—Shantinagar, Mouchak, and Mirpur—sparking fear among residents and commuters alike. Over the course of the afternoon and evening, four separate incidents were reported, leaving one person injured and several areas temporarily cordoned off by police.

The first explosion occurred at approximately 4:30 pm in Mirpur-1, outside the Muktijoddha Shopping Complex. According to Mirpur police, assailants hurled a cocktail bomb from the roof of the building. The explosive struck the pavement, injuring a shopkeeper who was attending his stall. Eyewitnesses said the perpetrators fled immediately after the blast, disappearing into the crowded streets.

Later in the evening, at around 8:30 pm, another blast occurred near the Mirpur-10 police box, though thankfully no casualties were reported. The detonation left local residents shaken, highlighting the persistent threat posed by such attacks in the city.

In Shantinagar, a third explosion was reported at approximately 8:15 pm near West Signal, where the device ignited an advertising billboard attached to a banyan tree. No injuries were sustained, but the blast startled nearby pedestrians and commuters. Shortly thereafter, at 8:40 pm, a fourth explosion occurred at Mouchak Crossing, again causing no physical harm but unsettling those in the vicinity.

Officer-in-Charge Jahangir Alam of Shah Ali Thana confirmed the incidents to reporters, emphasising the urgency of heightened vigilance. “A cocktail bomb exploded in front of a shop at the Muktijoddha Market, slightly injuring a shopkeeper. We have inspected the scene. The perpetrators threw the bomb from the roof and fled immediately,” he said.

Police have urged the public to report any suspicious activities and are reviewing CCTV footage from the affected areas. Additional patrols have been deployed in the city’s commercial and residential districts to prevent further incidents.

The spate of explosions has intensified concerns over public safety in Dhaka. Residents and local authorities are calling for increased security measures, particularly in busy markets and residential areas, to protect pedestrians and vendors during evening hours.

Summary of Incidents