In another instance of suspected politically motivated arson, unidentified miscreants attempted to set fire to a pickup van laden with raw vegetables and spices in Ashulia early this morning (18 November).

The incident occurred at around 4:30am in the Bogabari area of Ashulia. The attack caused some damage to the produce but was quickly contained, resulting in no significant harm to the vehicle itself.

The driver stated that the pickup, loaded with various vegetables and spices, had been parked by the roadside at around 12:30am before he went home.

Early in the morning, the items atop the vehicle were set on fire. However, locals had already managed to extinguish the flames shortly after the attack began.

Firefighters and locals responded swiftly.

Pranab Chowdhury, senior station officer of the Dhaka Export Processing Zone (DEPZ) Fire Service, confirmed that two of their units quickly rushed to the scene upon receiving the alert.

"This can be called an attempted arson," Chowdhury noted, adding that while some onions and garlic were burnt, the pickup van itself sustained no major damage.

fire / Pickup Van / Ashulia