Bangladesh on High Alert: Police Brace for Potential Attacks Amid Anniversary of Political Turmoil

In Bangladesh, police have issued a nationwide alert following intelligence reports of potential terrorist threats targeting law enforcement vehicles. This heightened security coincides with the second anniversary of the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government, which was marked by violent protests. Authorities are intensifying vigilance across the country, particularly concerning police vehicles, while also addressing recent bomb scares in Dhaka's metro stations. Despite the tense atmosphere, officials assert that the overall law and order situation remains under control. The police's Counter Terrorism unit is on high alert, although no specific threats have been identified. This situation unfolds as Dhaka is reported to be the most unsafe major city in South Asia according to a recent crime index.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 2, 2026, 22:39 IST

Nationwide Security Measures in Bangladesh

Dhaka: In response to intelligence reports, the police in Bangladesh have issued a nationwide alert regarding potential terrorist or extremist threats targeting law enforcement vehicles.

The Operations Control Branch (OCB) released an internal directive on Saturday, although it did not specify the source of the threat.

This alert coincides with the second anniversary of the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League government on August 5, 2024, which followed violent protests led by students.

A police official from the headquarters confirmed on Sunday that security measures have been intensified across the country to prevent possible attacks.

As per the OCB's directive, police units have been instructed to enhance vigilance against potential sabotage, particularly aimed at police vehicles such as jeeps, trucks, and buses.

The directive emphasizes the need for securing official vehicles both while they are in motion and when parked, stating that vehicles temporarily stopped should be monitored closely.

No government vehicle should be left unattended, even within police stations, according to the official.

Recently, Dhaka experienced bomb scares at metro stations, where the bomb disposal unit successfully neutralized a remote-controlled explosive device found in an abandoned umbrella at the Motijheel stop.

Two other stations reported abandoned bags that caused alarm, but these were later identified as containing only betel leaves and tobacco.

Despite the timing of the police directive coinciding with the anniversary of the Awami League's ousting, Mohammad Shamsul Haque, chief of the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime unit, stated that there is no specific intelligence indicating sabotage plans related to August 5, although they remain on high alert.

Sheikh Hasina's government was removed from power in August 2024 after violent protests, leading her to flee to India.

An interim government that took over after her ousting prohibited her party, the Awami League, from participating in elections through an executive order.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed remarked at a police event in Rajshahi that all incidents involving suspicious objects are being thoroughly investigated.

He assured that the overall law and order situation is under control, with the government maintaining a high level of vigilance despite a decrease in sabotage-related incidents.

His comments followed a report from the global crowd-sourced database Numbeo, which ranked Dhaka as the most unsafe and crime-prone major city in South Asia in its Mid-2026 Crime Index.