United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka is on the edge ahead of Thursday’s (13th November 2025) planned ‘lockdown’, as reports of arson and crude bomb explosions have heightened public anxiety. Law enforcement agencies, including the police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), have been deployed across the city to prevent potential violence. At a press conference on Wednesday, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Sajjad Ali said the force was fully prepared to avert acts of sabotage associated with the lockdown. “We hope Dhaka residents will stand with us to resist this lockdown and maintain peace,” he said, adding that additional police personnel had been stationed at all city entry and exit points. BGB deployment Fourteen platoons of the BGB have been deployed in Dhaka and surrounding districts since Wednesday morning, according to BGB Public Relations Officer Shariful Islam. Read more: 14 platoons of BGB deployed in Dhaka, adjoining districts Twelve platoons are stationed at key points within the capital, while two are deployed in nearby districts. “BGB members are patrolling strategic areas including Hotel Intercontinental, Dhanmondi-32, Airport, Abdullahpur, Kakrail, Shishu Park, the High Court area, and Abrar Fahad Avenue,” he said. Violence The unrest has already left its mark on the city. On Tuesday night, miscreants set fire to a Malanch Paribahan passenger bus near Sutrapur Fire Station. Crude bomb explosions were also reported in Hatirjheel, Karwan Bazar and other parts of Dhaka. Another bus set on fire in Dhaka’s Sutrapur An official from the Fire Service and Civil Defence told UNB, “At least five arson incidents have been reported in the capital in the past 24 hours. However, no casualties were reported.” Political Backdrop The planned ‘lockdown’ follows an announcement by the Awami League ahead of a verdict by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and others in a case involving crimes against humanity. Sheikh Hasina fled Bangladesh to India on 5 August 2024, and political instability has since deepened. Read more: Security tightened countrywide ahead of Nov 13 ‘lockdown’: Home Adviser Public Anxiety Despite repeated assurances from law enforcement agencies, fear remains palpable among residents. “We’re scared because buses may not run tomorrow. We’ve already heard about fires breaking out in some areas over the past several nights,” said a passenger at Gabtoli Bus Terminal. Police Warning & Advice The DMP Commissioner warned of strict action against anyone involved in violence or vandalism. “No one will be allowed to take the law into their own hands,” he said, urging residents to remain vigilant.

Any negligence by members of the law enforcement agencies while performing their duties will lead to legal action, warned Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury. The adviser came up with the warning while briefing journalists in the morning after laying wreaths at Banani Military Graveyard marking the anniversary of the martyrdom of army officers in the BDR massacre and the observance of 'National Martyred Army Day.' A nationwide special operation began on Monday evening to improve the law-and-order situation, he said, adding, "If any member of our forces is found to be negligent, they will be brought under the law. No one will be spared, whether they belong to the police, BGB, RAB, Ansar, or the prison department. Those who fail to fulfill their duties properly will be held accountable." Special police operation to tackle growing mugging incidents Jahangir Alam also highlighted that the families of the martyrs from the BDR massacre had two primary demands: justice for the victims and the declaration of a National Martyred Army Day. "The government has already declared 25 February as 'National Martyred Army Day,' and this year marks its first official observance," he said. He added that a National Independent Full-Fledged Investigation Commission had been formed to uncover the domestic and foreign conspiracies behind the BDR mutiny and to identify the perpetrators. “The commission is expected to submit its investigation report within 90 days. Based on the findings of the commission, those found guilty will be brought to justice," he added. Police arrest 3 suspected mugging gang members in Dhaka's Uttarkhan Earlier, tributes were paid at the graves of the army officers martyred in the 2009 Pilkhana massacre. Wreaths were placed by the President and Chief Adviser’s representatives, the Home Affairs Adviser, the chiefs of the three armed forces, the senior secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Director General of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and the relatives of the martyrs.