Members of the Bangladesh Army detained 13 BNP activists on suspicion of attempting to seize two polling stations in Dhaka’s Ashulia on early Thursday, officials said.

The detainees were later handed over to Ashulia police station.

Around 12:30am, an army patrol team conducted an operation at the Notun Nagar New Model School and College polling station in Ward No. 5 of Dhamsona Union and detained nine BNP activists.

They are Abdur Rahman, 42, son of Shamsul Haque; Bashir Uddin Bepari, 64, son of Yakub Ali; Mohammad Sarwar, 52, son of Shahjahan Bepari; Md Julhas Uddin, 24, son of Md Babul Hossain; Md Sumon, 23, son of Ahmed Ali; Md Sujan, 20, son of Md Taijul Islam; Md Shahinur Islam, 30; Akhtar Hossain’s son Md Sumon, 36; and Danez Ali Sheikh’s son Md Nurul Islam, 35. They are said to be supporters of BNP-nominated candidate Dewan Mohammad Salauddin Babu.

Meanwhile, four more people were detained in a separate operation at Nalam polling station in Ward No 9 of Dhamsona Union at the same time.

They are Md Montu Mia, 35, son of Yusuf Ali of Nalam Bagbari area; Md Jewel Mia, 36, son of Md Ali Hossain of Nalam Panpara area; Kabir Hossain, 37, son of Lokman Hossain; and Rakib Hossain, 39, son of Majid Bepari. Law enforcement agencies said they are also supporters of the same candidate.

SI Saymon Sheikh, duty officer of Ashulia Police Station, said they are currently in police custody.

After verification, necessary legal action will be taken as decided by higher authorities, he added.