Driver killed, 8 vehicles torched in Faridpur, Gazipur, Savar

Separate arson attacks on parked vehicles in Faridpur, Gazipur and Savar left a bus driver dead and several vehicles damaged last night (9 November) and early today (10 November).

In Faridpur, a bus driver died of suffocation after unidentified miscreants set fire to a parked bus at the new bus terminal around 1:30 am.

The driver, identified as Kalachan Sheikh, was sleeping inside the local bus, bearing registration number Faridpur-B 11-0182, when the fire broke out. He reportedly suffered breathing difficulties after inhaling smoke.

He was the son of Nuruddin Sheikh of Goalchamot area in Faridpur town. He was taken to Faridpur Medical College Hospital, where the on-duty doctor declared him dead.

Faridpur Fire Service Senior Station Officer Sribas Baroi said they received a phone call at around 2 am and rushed to the spot. Firefighters later brought the blaze under control.

Md Saddam, ward master of Faridpur Medical College Hospital, said the driver was brought to the hospital dead by people from the bus terminal. His body is currently at the hospital's emergency department.

In another incident in Faridpur, miscreants allegedly set fire to a parked Karim Jute Mill bus near Jafrabadh Bazar in Krishnanagar Union of Faridpur Sadar upazila last night. Local residents quickly brought the fire under control, although part of the bus was damaged.

Shariful Sheikh, a union parishad member, confirmed the incident, saying the bus was used to transport mill workers.

Three vehicles set on fire in Gazipur's Chandra

In Gazipur's Chandra area under Kaliakair upazila, miscreants set fire to two passenger buses and a covered van at separate locations within a day.

The incidents took place between 5:30 am and 11:30 pm yesterday, spreading panic across the area.

According to Fire Service and local sources, the latest incident occurred around 11:30 pm when miscreants set fire to a covered van parked beside the Chandra-Nabinagar highway in the Hajibari area.

Passers-by and local residents noticed flames and black smoke coming from the front of the vehicle and tried to put out the fire.

Two units of Kaliakair Fire Service reached the spot and brought the blaze under control around 11:45 pm. The front portion of the covered van was damaged.

Earlier, at around 5:30 am, miscreants set fire to an Azmeri Glory bus parked beside the Chandra Forest Office on the Dhaka-Tangail highway.

Another bus belonging to the same transport company was set on fire around 6:30 pm near Kajoli Filling Station (Kajoli Farm) at Chandra intersection. Firefighters brought the second bus fire under control around 7:30 pm.

Police and local sources said the two buses belonged to local businessman Sajol Mia. They had been abandoned beside the highway for the past two to three months and had no major components, including engines.

Tarikul Islam, an official of Kaliakair Fire Service and Civil Defence, said two units rushed to the locations after receiving information and brought the fires under control.

However, the cause of the fires has not yet been established.

Kaliakair Police Station Officer-in-Charge Shahidul Islam said police had launched an investigation to determine whether the fires were part of a planned act of sabotage.

Buses set on fire in Savar and Dhamrai

Two parked buses were set on fire in separate incidents in Savar and Dhamrai of Dhaka overnight yesterday.

The incidents took place in Namagenda area of Savar municipality and Aingan area of Dhamrai municipality.

According to Fire Service and Civil Defence sources, miscreants set fire to a parked bus near the land office in Aingan around 1 am.

Another bus belonging to Savar Paribahan was set on fire at Moylar Mor in Namagenda around 2 am.

Firefighters from the respective local fire service stations rushed to the scenes and quickly brought both fires under control.

No casualties were reported in either incident.

Officials concerned suspect that the incidents may be part of acts of sabotage.

Bus set on fire at Chattogram garage

A bus was set on fire at a garage in Chattogram's City Gate area around 3 am today, while petrol bombs and crude bombs were hurled at several locations across the city.

Police deployed additional personnel, set up checkpoints and intensified patrols on key roads last night (9 November) to prevent further incidents.

Aminur Rashid, assistant commissioner (Media) of Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP), confirmed the incidents to The Business Standard.

He said a bus undergoing repairs at a garage in the City Gate–Monsurabad area caught fire around 3 am today (10 November).

Aminur said police had received reports of petrol bomb and crude bomb attacks at several locations across the city. He suspected the involvement of leaders and activists of the banned organisation.

He said CMP had taken a strict stance against such incidents. Police deployed additional personnel, set up checkpoints and intensified patrols on key roads across the city last night.

Police operations to arrest those involved are ongoing, he added.

He also said no other untoward incidents had been reported in the city.

Source: The Business Standard