Terrorist Blast Attacks Ashura Processions in Bangladesh
Local Editor
At least one person was martyred and nearly 80 wounded Saturday in a bomb attack on a shrine in the Bangladeshi capital as thousands gathered for the annual Ashura procession, police said.
Officers said a 14-year-old boy martyred on the spot after three small bombs were thrown at the complex of the Hossaini Dalan, the main Shiite site in the old Mughal quarter of Dhaka, at about 2:00 am Saturday.
"There were some 20,000 people in and outside the building at that time. They were preparing to hold the annual Muharram mourning procession when the three bombs were exploded," deputy commissioner of Dhaka Police Mofiz Uddin Ahmed said.
The attacks terrorists come as Prophet's Household followers around the world mark the holy month of Moharram, with Pakistan's worshippers also suffering violence this week after two suicide blasts martyred at least 27 people.
In Bangladesh, television showed live footage of the chaos in the aftermath of the blasts with people, many holding flags, fleeing and ambulances taking the injured to hospital.
Local police chief Azizul Haq said at least one person was martyred and around 80 injured in the attack, which took place on the premises of the 17th century religious site.
"We've recovered two unexploded bombs. These are like explosive devices and almost like grenades and fitted with batteries," Haq said, adding one person had been detained.
Police inspector Mozammel Hoque stated that most of the injured were hit by bomb splinters but no-one was in critical condition.
"Some 50 were brought to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital. A 14-year-old boy was brought in dead. He died due to the explosion," he said.
No one has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, police said.
Witnesses told the mass-circulation daily Prothom Alo that many mourners fell to the ground as loud explosions went off just at the main gate of the Hossaini Dalan, the most important prayer and congregation site for Bangladesh's Shiites.
Roni, who uses one name, said mourners in black were holding prayers just before the procession when he heard 8-10 explosions and saw a fire.
"It seems the attackers had taken position inside the gathering," Dhaka police commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia told reprters, adding that the blasts were pre-planned and aimed at creating instability.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team
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