TDS Desk:

The government has rolled out extensive security measures to thwart any act of sabotage ahead of the Awami League’s “Dhaka Lockdown” programme on Thursday, an event announced despite a ban on the party’s activities.

Officials from the home ministry and law enforcement agencies said security forces have been placed on high alert and will show zero-tolerance against any attempt to create unrest in or destabilize the capital.

Surveillance across Dhaka and its entry points was ramped up early yesterday. No gatherings or demonstrations will be allowed at the city’s entrances.

During visits last night, police patrols were visible at major entry points including Gabtoli, Jatrabari, Abdullahpur, and Tongi, where additional checkpoints have been set up to screen incoming vehicles.

Authorities have also tightened border surveillance to prevent the movement of arms and suspects. Border Guard Bangladesh has been ordered to increase patrols along crossing points, particularly in the west and southeast.

Law enforcers have been instructed to take immediate action against anyone attempting to block roads or incite violence, officials said.

Several English-medium schools have switched to online classes over safety concerns, sources said.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh has issued directives to restrict public movement around airports, and intensify searches, and patrols.

Over the last few days, Dhaka and some other parts of the country have witnessed a spate of flash processions, crude bomb and arson attacks.

In two days until the filing of this report at 1:00am on Wednesday, at least 19 crude bombs went off, and 11 vehicles were set ablaze, leaving city residents on edge.

The last bomb blasts took place in front of the International Crimes Tribunal’s (ICT) investigation agency office in Dhanmondi at 8:04pm, and in front of the Government Post Office (GPO) near Gulistan’s Zero Point around 9:25pm.

The ICT is set to announce the date of a verdict in a case against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina on charges of crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising.

In both incidents of crude bomb blasts last night, two assailants on a motorcycle hurled the bombs and fled the scene, police said. No casualties or arrests were reported.

At least four buses were also torched in Dhaka and Gazipur last night.

The fire broke out on a bus near Turag City on the Mirpur Beribadh road, an area under Shah Ali Police Station, around 10:00pm. Another bus was set on fire in the Chakrabarti area of Gazipur’s Kashimpur around 9:50pm.

Police said they did not have information on who started the fires. No casualties or arrests were reported in either incident.

Meanwhile, tragedy struck early yesterday when a bus driver was burnt to death and two passengers injured after unidentified assailants torched a parked bus in Mymensingh’s Phulbaria upazila around 3:15am.

The victim, Julhas Mia, 35, a driver for Alam Asia Paribahan, was asleep inside the bus when three men arrived and set it ablaze, CCTV footage showed. The fire spread rapidly, burning him alive.

Passengers Sharmin Sultana Rumki, 40, and her son Shahid Islam Badsha, 20 were also inside. Shahid managed to escape, but his mother sustained serious burns and was later transferred to a private hospital in Dhaka.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police said that over the past six weeks, law enforcers have intercepted at least 14 flash processions and arrested 552 suspects allegedly involved in subversive acts.

Investigators believe some of these incidents were carried out by hired groups brought into the city from outside in exchange for money.

Officials warned that certain quarters are using social media to spread panic and incite violence ahead of the AL’s programme. Cyber units of the police and Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) are closely monitoring online activity to identify those responsible.

Intelligence officials said the pattern of violence suggests a coordinated effort to destabilise Dhaka and challenge state authority ahead of the coming election season.

A senior officer involved in counter-sabotage operations told that several groups have been identified as working under the direction of exiled political figures.

“Their main target is to create a sense of fear among city residents before the so-called lockdown,” the officer said, requesting anonymity.

To finalise security plans for November 13, the Advisory Council Committee on Law and Order met at the home ministry on Tuesday.

The meeting, chaired by Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, was attended by the inspector general of police, DMP commissioner, Rab director general, and other senior officials.

After the meeting, Jahangir said there was “no cause for concern.”

“All agencies are on full alert. No criminals or instigators will be spared. The situation on November 13 will remain normal,” he told reporters.

He added that coordinated action plans involving police, Rab, BGB, and intelligence agencies were already in place.

“Security has been intensified around metro rail stations, courts, railway terminals, and tribunals. Additional forces have been deployed in potential trouble spots,” he said, adding that law enforcement had been instructed to act immediately on any threat intelligence.

“The government will not allow anyone to create panic or disrupt normal life in the name of politics.”

At a separate briefing, DMP Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali said a banned political party and its affiliates were plotting subversive acts.

“In the past 24 hours, police filed 17 cases and detained 50 suspects; most of them brought into the capital from neighbouring districts with promises of payment,” he said.

“These individuals were hired to join processions, detonate crude bombs, or torch vehicles before disappearing. We are identifying their handlers.”

He urged Dhaka residents not to shelter strangers and advised hotel and mess owners to verify guests’ identities before renting rooms.

“Motorcycle owners should avoid lending or renting out their vehicles to unknown persons. If you see any suspicious activity, inform the nearest police station or call 999,” he said.

Police have also launched drives, checking guest records at hotels and messes to ensure no one with ill intent takes shelter in the capital.

Transport workers have also been told to remain alert if any bus carries unusually few passengers — a tactic often used by arsonists to avoid detection.

“Dhaka is under tight security coverage. Every major route, terminal, and installation is being monitored,” said a deputy commissioner of DMP.

“We are confident that any attempt to destabilise the city will be foiled.”