Google Alert – Bangladesh Army
Law enforcement agencies across Dhaka have intensified a sweeping security operation in response to intelligence warnings of potential sabotage and unrest between August 5 and 8, with fears of coordinated attempts to destabilise the capital during a politically sensitive period.
The alert follows the arrest of 22 individuals, including a Bangladesh Army major, in connection with a clandestine meeting allegedly held on July 8 at the KB Convention Hall in Bashundhara.
The gathering, organised under the guise of an overseas job recruitment drive, has been linked by police to the banned Awami League and its student wing, Chhatra League, and is suspected to be part of a broader plot to incite chaos.
According to a case filed with Bhatara Police Station, the day-long meeting was attended by 300-400 people, including activists from the Chhatra League, Awami League, and retired government officials. Attendees reportedly raised anti-government slogans and, based on intelligence, planned to mobilise supporters nationwide to occupy Shahbagh intersection, create public panic, and orchestrate conditions for the return of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Talebur Rahman confirmed the seriousness of the threat: “We received credible intelligence about the meeting. The hall was rented under a fake pretext—claiming to assist people in going abroad. But it was a conspiracy to gather political activists. A case has been filed, and investigations are ongoing. We will uncover the full network and those behind it.”
The involvement of an Army major has triggered a high-level response from the military.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed that the officer was taken into custody on July 17 and that two courts of inquiry have been formed – one for political involvement and another for unauthorised absence from duty.
“Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken in accordance with military law,” ISPR stated, reaffirming the armed forces’ stance of strict neutrality in political matters.
In a bid to preempt any coordinated unrest, DMP has launched a month-long combing operation across residential hotels, messes, flats, and slum areas in Dhaka – locations deemed vulnerable to misuse by underground networks.
The police have deployed 489 patrol teams and set up 66 checkposts operated across 50 police stations in the last 24 hours. So far 254 people were arrested on various charges, including illegal assembly and possession of contraband.
Eight members of banned Awami League-affiliated groups were detained in the past day alone.
DC Talebur Rahman emphasised that arrests are being made based on verified intelligence, not mass roundups: “There is no room for arbitrary or harassing arrests. But if someone is found involved in attempts to disrupt peace, we will act decisively.”
Security forces are particularly alert for Sunday’s major political events:
– A Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal rally at Shahbagh Intersection
– A National Citizen Party (NCP) programme at Central Shaheed Minar
– A Chhatra Shibir gathering at Suhrawardy Udyan
Ramna Division Deputy Commissioner Masud Alam said: “Every police station is on high alert. Surveillance and combing operations are ongoing in vulnerable zones. We are prepared for any eventuality.”
The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has also escalated its presence, with Wing Commander Intekhab Chowdhury, Director of RAB’s Legal and Media Wing, confirming: “Additional checkposts and patrols have been deployed. We are ready to counter any sabotage attempt around August.”
Meanwhile, Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Branch (DB) Joint Commissioner Nasirul Islam said intelligence gathering has been intensified: “We are not dismissing any tip. We are actively collecting advance information to stay ahead of threats.”