The recent security alert for police issued following a series of bomb scares and recoveries of suspicious objects in Dhaka and elsewhere was not based on any specific intelligence, but was a routine reminder aimed at strengthening security measures, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Additional Commissioner (Detective Branch) Mohammad Shafiqul Islam said on Sunday.
Responding to a question at a briefing at the DMP Media Centre, he said police remain vigilant at all times to ensure public safety as well as the security of police personnel and installations.
Shafiqul said the reminder was issued in the wake of several recent bomb-related incidents and the spread of rumours.
"We always remain alert. Recently, there have been a few bomb scares and some rumours. We are active on these issues. Such reminders are issued from time to time to ensure the security of police vehicles, installations and personnel," he said.
Describing the directive as a routine reminder, the DB chief said police were asked to remain more cautious so that all police vehicles and facilities remain secure.
Asked whether law enforcement agencies have received any specific intelligence about possible attacks targeting police, he replied in the negative, saying, "There is no specific intelligence. However, we always remain alert. Our senior officers supervise us, and those working in the field have been reminded to exercise greater caution."
Replying to a question about the improvised explosive device (IED) recovered from an umbrella beneath Motijheel Metro Rail Station, Shafiqul said the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit was leading the investigation while the DB is conducting a parallel inquiry.
He said efforts are underway to identify and arrest those involved, but declined to disclose further details as the investigation is continuing.
Asked whether investigators have identified any organisation behind the incident, the DB chief said such acts are generally not carried out by a single individual and are usually intended to promote a particular mandate or ideology.
Earlier on Saturday, the Police Headquarters Operations Control Room issued an emergency message instructing all field-level units to strengthen security measures.
According to the directive, members of extremist groups or criminals could target police vehicles, including jeeps, pickups and buses. It instructed officers to park duty vehicles only in safe locations when temporarily halted and keep them under constant surveillance.
It also called for enhanced security of vehicles parked at police stations, police lines and office premises through regular patrols, increased monitoring and heightened vigilance for suspicious persons or objects.
Although Police Headquarters did not issue an official statement, Assistant Inspector General (Media) AHM Shahadat Hossain told the media that such directives are issued regularly to keep police personnel alert and active, adding that there is no reason for public concern.
Over the past week, several bomb scares have been reported in the capital.
On July 24, police recovered and defused a powerful IED concealed inside an umbrella beneath the Motijheel Metro Rail Station. Authorities later said it had been placed targeting the route of the Hindu community's Ulto Rath Yatra procession.
The following day, a sack with an umbrella protruding from it near Bangladesh Bank triggered panic, but no explosives were found.
On Saturday, two suspicious bags and sacks recovered at Mirpur-10 and Farmgate metro stations were examined by the DMP Bomb Disposal Unit, which confirmed that neither contained explosive materials.
Police sources said the latest directive was issued to reinforce vigilance among field-level officers in light of these recent incidents.