Security has been tightened across Dhaka’s diplomatic zone following email threats sent to several foreign embassies, with missions in Gulshan and Baridhara placed under heightened surveillance.
Additional law enforcement personnel in uniform and plain clothes have been deployed, while checkpoints, patrols and surveillance around the embassies have been increased. Quick Response Teams have also been kept on standby.
Additional Deputy Commissioner Abu Khayer of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s (DMP) Diplomatic Security Division told Dhaka Tribune that police had not received any written complaint over the threats.
“The Chinese embassy informed Police Headquarters of the matter through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit is investigating the incident,” he said.
Abu Khayer said there was no reason to panic, as adequate security measures had been put in place across the diplomatic zone.
“We do not know who issued the threats, why they were issued or which embassies received them, as we have not been informed in writing,” he said, adding that police had heightened security after learning of the incident.
Meanwhile, representatives of several foreign missions held a meeting with CTTC officials over the threats, and the counter-terrorism unit has launched an investigation.
Sources said several foreign embassies in Dhaka received threatening emails late last week, which police suspect were intended to spread panic.
Police also said no general diary (GD) or written complaint had been filed with Gulshan Police Station over the threats.
