Dhaka explosions and arson attacks struck 11 locations across the capital on Monday, with no casualties reported but widespread alarm triggered among residents. Authorities blame remnants of the banned Awami League for the Bangladesh bus fires crude bombs Dhaka incidents, arresting over 35 suspects amid a citywide high alert.
These events underscore the fragile transition in Bangladesh, where political arson attacks Dhaka Yunus government stability hangs in the balance. As South Asia grapples with rising extremism, the blasts highlight vulnerabilities in post-uprising governance, potentially destabilising regional alliances and economic recovery efforts led by interim Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus.
Surge in Dhaka Explosions and Arson Attacks
The day began with unidentified assailants hurling crude bombs, locally known as cocktails at key sites in Dhaka. Police logs confirm explosions at the Grameen Bank headquarters in Mirpur, a symbol tied to Yunus’s legacy. Two assailants on a motorcycle lobbed devices that detonated outside the building, shattering windows but causing no injuries.
Further Bangladesh bus fires crude bombs Dhaka strikes hit Prabartana in Mohammadpur, owned by Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter. Witnesses described flames erupting from the devices, with firefighters responding swiftly. Similar blasts targeted Ibn Sina Hospital and Midas Centre in Dhanmondi, the Mouchak intersection, Bangladesh Betar in Agargaon, Khilgaon Flyover, and Shah Ali Market in Mirpur.
In a brazen escalation, five crude bombs exploded in front of the National Citizen Party office at Bangla Motor. One bystander suffered minor shrapnel wounds. Dhaka Metropolitan Police detained three suspects at the scene, who remain in custody for questioning.
Religious sites faced direct threats in these Dhaka high alert terror incidents. A bomb detonated outside St Mary’s Cathedral in Kakrail, while another struck residences for priests and teachers at St Joseph School and College in Mohammadpur. No structural damage occurred, but the attacks evoked memories of past communal tensions.
Arson added to the chaos. Three buses caught fire in separate episodes: one in Dhanmondi near Lab Aid Hospital, another in Shahjadpur, and a third in Merul Badda. Passengers evacuated safely, but the incidents paralysed traffic for hours. Fire services extinguished the blazes, attributing them to petrol-soaked rags ignited by hand.
Official Response to Political Arson Attacks Dhaka Yunus Government
The Yunus administration acted decisively. The Chief Adviser’s Press Wing issued a statement at 2:00 PM, announcing a joint operation by Dhaka Metropolitan Police and the Rapid Action Battalion. “Law enforcement agencies have launched a comprehensive manhunt across the city,” it read. “Any attempt to disrupt religious coexistence or public order will face the full force of the law.”
Bangladesh Police spokesperson AHM Sahadat Hossain addressed reporters outside Dhaka Police headquarters. “Arrests stem from solid intelligence inputs,” he said. “The government stands ready to prevent and counter all forms of violence.” He confirmed 34 Awami League leaders and activists in custody, accused of orchestrating flash processions and funding the assaults.
Detective Branch chief Shafiqul Islam revealed deeper probes. “Evidence points to Awami League elements willing to go to extremes for their jailed leaders,” Islam stated. A 28-year-old member of the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League faces charges in connection with the crude bomb blasts, including those at Catholic sites.
A senior Home Ministry official, speaking anonymously, stressed urgency. “We prioritise public safety and national unity above all. Destabilisation efforts will meet swift repercussions.” Security ramped up at churches, mosques, and temples, with additional patrols deployed.
These political arson attacks Dhaka Yunus government probes link the violence to an online Awami League call for a “Dhaka Lockdown” on August 25, despite the party’s proscription. Intelligence suggests coordination from exile networks, aiming to undermine the interim regime formed after the July 2024 uprising that ousted Sheikh Hasina.
Background: Yunus Government’s Challenges
Bangladesh’s interim leadership under Muhammad Yunus, sworn in on August 8, 2024, inherited a nation scarred by protests and economic woes. The Nobel laureate’s cabinet focuses on reforms, but faces pushback from Hasina loyalists. Banned groups like Awami League and its affiliates, including Chhatra League, operate underground, fuelling sporadic unrest.
Prior incidents include July 2024 clashes that killed over 200, and sporadic bombings in rural areas. The August 25 Dhaka explosions and arson attacks mark the most coordinated urban assault yet, echoing tactics from the 2013 Shahbag protests. Experts note a pattern: crude devices, low lethality, high psychological impact.
In South Asia, such events ripple beyond borders. Neighbours like India and Pakistan monitor closely, fearing spillover into refugee flows or trade disruptions. Yunus’s microfinance model, via Grameen Bank, draws international scrutiny; the targeted blast there signals direct threats to his credibility.
Data from the Bangladesh Police shows a 40% rise in arson cases since January 2025, with 150 incidents logged nationwide. Crude bomb seizures jumped 25%, per Home Ministry reports. Yet, conviction rates lag at 15%, hampered by witness intimidation.
Impact on Daily Life and Economy
Commuters in Dhaka felt the pinch immediately. The bus fires crude bombs Dhaka chaos snarled roads, delaying thousands. Schools near blast sites dismissed early, and markets like Shah Ali saw footfall drop 30%. Hospital administrators at Ibn Sina reported treating 12 for anxiety-related issues.
Economically, the Yunus government eyes stability for IMF talks, seeking USD 4.7 billion in aid. These Dhaka high alert terror incidents risk investor flight; the Dhaka Stock Exchange dipped 1.2% on Monday afternoon. Tourism, already down 20% post-uprising, faces further blows with advisories for religious sites.
Communities rallied. Catholic leaders at St Mary’s condemned the blasts, urging calm. “Faith endures,” Archbishop Paul Simick said in a brief address. Muslim clerics joined interfaith vigils, reinforcing communal bonds strained by past politics.
What’s Next for Security in Dhaka
Investigations continue, with forensics teams analysing bomb residues for fingerprints and explosive traces. Police vow raids on Awami League hideouts by week’s end. The interim cabinet plans a security summit, potentially invoking emergency powers if threats persist.
International partners offer aid. The UN dispatched counter-terrorism experts, while India pledged intelligence sharing. Yunus is slated to address the nation Tuesday, outlining anti-sabotage measures.
As probes unfold, residents brace for more. Enhanced CCTV and drone surveillance roll out citywide, but trust in institutions remains key. The government targets full normalcy by September, amid elections slated for early 2026.
In conclusion, the Dhaka explosions and arson attacks expose fault lines in Bangladesh’s fragile peace. Swift justice could restore confidence, but failure risks deeper unrest, testing the Yunus government’s resolve.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, November 11th, 2025
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