Bangladesh police have issued a nationwide security alert following intelligence warnings of possible militant attacks on key installations, officials and media reports said Saturday. A police headquarters (PHQ) official said the alert was based on intelligence inputs but did not provide details. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the alert as “urgent and confidential.”
According to a PHQ communication cited by local media, potential targets include the parliament complex, places of worship, entertainment venues, and military and police facilities. Armouries have also been identified as possible targets in the event of coordinated attacks.
The alert follows the recent arrest of a suspected operative of a banned militant outfit, Istiak Ahmed Sami, also known as Abu Bakkar, who was allegedly in contact with two dismissed military personnel, reports said.
The PHQ document also outlined profiles of two alleged planners behind the potential attacks, though it did not name any organisation. It described the suspected individuals as “extremely dangerous for the overall security of the country.”
Law enforcement agencies warned that militant groups could use multiple methods to carry out attacks, according to local news portal tbsnews.net.
Police headquarters has directed specialised units, including the Criminal Investigation Department, Special Branch and Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crimes unit, to step up surveillance and preparedness. Regular police forces across the country have also been asked to remain on high alert.
A police chief in a western district confirmed receiving the alert and said security measures had been tightened in areas under his command.
Bangladesh has seen a rise in extremist activity over the past 18 months, particularly during the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus after the removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government in August 2024 following widespread protests known as the “July Uprising.”
Authorities have said hundreds of inmates, including convicted militants, remain at large after a series of jailbreaks during that period. Officials earlier said about 2,700 inmates escaped during the unrest, with around 700 still unaccounted for.
Several militants were among those who escaped, and weapons were also reported stolen during the incidents. In one major case, attackers stormed a prison in Narsingdi in July 2024, freeing more than 800 inmates and setting parts of the facility on fire. Another jailbreak at Kashimpur High Security Jail in Gazipur saw over 200 prisoners escape after guards were taken hostage.
Source: India Latest News, Breaking News Today, Top News Headlines | Times Now
