High security alert in Khulna city

Sources in security forces said they have information that incidents of frequent bomb explosions may be followed by 'major attack either on any key instruction or important political or social leaders'.

Armed policemen both in uniform and in plain cloth have been deployed at residences of top political leaders of ruling parties and the opposition.

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Similar arrangements have been made for other important places like Khulna Press Club, local newspaper offices, bureau offices of Dhaka dailies, and Khulna stations of Bangladesh Betar and BTV.

Security has been strengthened in major academic institutions including the Khulna University and the Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET).

Rab and Khulna Metropolitan Police teams have launched 'special operations' in different areas of the city and the district with lists of criminals and extremists in hand.

Mentionably, explosion of powerful bombs at Dakbunglow Road on Wednesday night, Basupara and Daulatpur Bazar on Thursday night, Kashipur New Road at Khalishpur and at Dumuria Bazar on Friday night has created a panic among the city dwellers.

Armed guards have also been deployed in front of most of the mosques, temples and churches. Metal detectors are being used for scanning ahead of public gathering held by political parties and and socio-cultural organisations.

"We are fully alert against any sabotage by saboteurs and terrorists", said a high officials of KMP.

He said ward commissioners in the city have been requested to help law enforcers nab criminals hiding in slum areas.

People in all residential areas have been asked by the KMP Commissioner to submit their bio-data to respective ward commissioners by July 31.

There has been no clear clarification from the Commissioner's office why both permanent and temporary residents have been asked to submit bio-data.

But sources said this unprecedented move has been taken to identify suspicious persons.