Police safely detonate IED found inside umbrella in Motijheel

People alert police after spotting a flashing light inside the umbrella beneath the metro station

Police have recovered and safely detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) found inside an abandoned umbrella beneath the Shapla Chattar Metro Rail Station in Dhaka's Motijheel.

The discovery triggered panic among people in the area on Friday.

Motijheel Zone Assistant Commissioner Hussain Muhammad Farabi said locals called police after noticing a flashing light inside the umbrella.

Police cordoned off the area before the bomb disposal unit carried out a controlled explosion, he said.

Authorities are investigating who left the device at the scene.