Bangladesh, Sept. 19 -- Police have stepped up patrols, surveillance and intelligence-led operations across the country amid growing law-and-order concerns, following a series of cocktail blasts at several locations in Dhaka on Friday.

At least five explosions were reported between midday and evening, police said, with no casualties.

The heightened security measures also follow a surprise street procession by activists of the banned Awami League and the detention of 23 people over suspected militant activity.

Senior police officials said fresh field-level directives had been issued to prevent any resurgence of activities by the Awami League, whose operations were outlawed following last year's mass uprising that brought down its govern...