Bangladesh Police has announced a nationwide alert in response to potential terrorist or extremist threats targeting vehicles employed by law enforcement agencies. This decision follows recent intelligence reports that have raised concerns regarding the safety of official vehicles across the nation. Police units have heightened their vigilance, particularly focusing on patrol cars, trucks, and buses.

The internal directive, which was issued on Saturday by the Operations Control Branch, does not disclose the source of the alleged threat. This announcement precedes the date of August 5, marking the two-year anniversary of the removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government, a shift that occurred amid violent protests led primarily by students in 2024.

An official from the police headquarters stated on Sunday, “According to our OCB’s directive, police units have implemented tighter security measures across Bangladesh to prevent possible attacks specifically targeting police vehicles.” The emphasis is on safeguarding official vehicles whether they are on the move or stationary.

Directive Specifics and Precautions

The directive provides specific guidelines for police officers to follow in order to ensure the safety of official vehicles. Officers are instructed to maintain watch over vehicles that are temporarily stopped while ensuring these vehicles are parked in secure locations. Additionally, it has been made clear that no government vehicle should be left unattended, even within police stations.

This alert has been prompted also by recent incidents in Dhaka involving bomb scares. Notably, police successfully defused a remote-controlled explosive device found hidden beneath an abandoned umbrella at the Motijheel metro station. Alarm was raised due to two additional abandoned bags discovered at two different stations, which were later determined to contain only betel leaves and tobacco.

On the subject of security, Chief of Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime, Mohammad Shamsul Haque, noted that while there is no specific intelligence linking August 5 to any planned sabotage, his unit remains on high alert. He stated, “We are taking all necessary precautions to ensure public safety.”

Government Position and Public Safety Concerns

The backdrop of heightened security is further complicated by the recent history of political unrest. Former Prime Minister Hasina was ousted in August 2024 following violent protests, prompting her to seek refuge in India. An interim government that took over subsequently issued an executive order preventing the Awami League from participating in elections.

These statements were made shortly after a global crime database, Numbeo, ranked Dhaka as the most unsafe and crime-prone major city in South Asia according to their Mid-2026 Crime Index. The police’s recent alert illustrates an increase in security measures throughout Bangladesh, coinciding with a significant date, even though officials claim there is no direct intelligence indicating an attack is planned for August 5.

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