Bangladesh: Two improvised explosive devices (locally known as cocktails) detonated outside the residence of Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Ministry of Water Resources, on Central Road in the capital on Sunday night. The blasts occurred around 9:00pm. No injuries were reported.
Rizwana Hasan confirmed the incident, while eyewitnesses said unidentified individuals hurled the explosives in front of her home before fleeing. Police were deployed to the scene shortly afterward, according to an officer at the location.
Earlier in the evening, around 7:30pm, two similar explosions were reported near the SAARC Fountain intersection in Karwan Bazar. No casualties were recorded there either.
The latest series of blasts comes a day before the International Crimes Tribunal is scheduled to deliver its verdict on charges of crimes against humanity against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina in connection with the July mass uprising.
Ahead of the verdict, the Awami League—currently under restrictions on its political activities—had announced a “lockdown” programme last week. Since November 10, multiple incidents of arson attacks on buses and trains, along with sporadic cocktail explosions, have been reported across Dhaka and other parts of the country.
Between Saturday night and Sunday morning, vehicles were set on fire and crude bombs were thrown in several areas of the capital.
Police have since detained 18 Awami League members during overnight operations in different neighbourhoods of Dhaka.
