Law enforcement officers in Chapainawabganj successfully recovered 24 crude explosive devices—locally referred to as cocktails—during separate operations conducted across two distinct locations on Sunday, 12 October. The seizures, spanning from noon until late in the evening, triggered an immediate security response, though no suspects have been detained thus far. Authorities are currently conducting a detailed investigation to ascertain who manufactured and concealed the explosives and for what purpose.
The largest recovery took place in the rural belt of Sadar upazila. Local residents in the Munshitola Mandalpara area of Maharajpur Union raised the alarm at approximately 3:00 pm after spotting three freshly dug soil pits inside a secluded lemon grove. Positioned near the openings were three red plastic buckets containing objects tightly bound in adhesive tape. Recognising the potential danger, villagers refrained from touching the containers and promptly notified the police.
Responding swiftly, police personnel cordoned off the orchard, established a security perimeter, and requested assistance from specialized explosive ordnance disposal experts. Members of the bomb disposal unit arrived at the scene later that night, systematically extracting 17 crude bombs buried inside the red buckets. By 9:15 pm, all 17 devices were safely rendered inert on-site by trained personnel, neutralizing a severe risk to the surrounding community.
Hours earlier, around midday, a separate cache was discovered within Chapainawabganj town itself. Residents navigating a three-way road intersection in the Jorgachi Nutan Mohalla neighborhood noticed seven unexploded crude bombs lying scattered on the grass outside an under-construction residence. Officers arrived shortly after receiving the call, securing the area and safely retrieving the devices.
The discovery of two distinct explosive stockpiles on the same day has created considerable unease among local residents, particularly given that the devices were left exposed near populated residential zones and public roadways. Crude cocktails, typically constructed using low-grade explosive materials packed into improvised containers, carry a severe risk of accidental detonation if mishandled or disturbed.
Confirming the ongoing operations, Additional Superintendent of Police Wasim Firoz stated that law enforcement agencies are evaluating all potential leads to determine whether the two incidents are linked. Investigators are working to map out the origin of the materials, identify the individuals responsible for storing them, and execute lawful action. Police continue to advise the public to avoid touching any suspicious packages or freshly disturbed ground and to notify authorities immediately upon discovering unfamiliar objects.
