Alert over possible attacks on force vehicles
Police Headquarters has placed all field-level units across the country on the highest level of alert following intelligence reports suggesting that extremist groups or criminal networks may target police vehicles, including jeeps, pick-up trucks and buses.
In an emergency message issued by the Operations Control unit on Saturday, Police Headquarters directed all metropolitan, range, district and specialised units to immediately strengthen security measures to protect police vehicles and other government transport.
Describing the matter as “extremely important”, the directive instructed all field formations to implement the security measures without delay and warned
that there should be no room for complacency or negligence.
According to the instructions, police personnel must exercise maximum vigilance while vehicles are on duty as well as after they are parked.
The directive states that any police vehicle making a temporary stop during operational duties must be parked only in a secure location and remain under constant supervision by police personnel.
It also strictly prohibits leaving any police vehicle unattended, requiring that a driver or responsible officer remain with the vehicle at all times.
Police Headquarters further ordered enhanced security for government vehicles kept at police stations, police lines, office compounds and other designated locations after duty hours.
The measures include increasing patrols, strengthening surveillance and maintaining heightened vigilance to detect any suspicious persons or objects in and around vehicle parking areas.
Speaking to reporters, Additional Inspector General of Police (Crime and Operations) Khondaker Rafiqul Islam said the directive was issued as a precautionary measure based on intelligence assessments.
He said law enforcement agencies had received information that banned organisations might carry out various activities around August, prompting the nationwide alert to safeguard police assets and personnel.
