By Mainul Islam Khan
DHAKA, (AA): A triple bomb blast at a Shia Muslim gathering in Bangladesh left one person dead and 87 injured in the early hours of Saturday in capital Dhaka.
The attack took place at Hussaini Dalan, Old Dhaka, where Shia Muslims gather for a special procession to commemmorate Ashura, when grandson of Prophet Muhammad, Imam Husayn, was martyred with his family and companions by the soldiers of Caliph Yazid. Organizers were preparing for the trademark procession when the explosions happened.
The Shia Muslim community has been observing the day for centuries. But it is the first time that they have come under such an attack, though it was not clear who carried out the attack or why.
The incident occurred at a time when the capital is under heightened security arrangements during the Hindu community’s Durga Puja festival, which ended Friday, and Ashura for Shia Muslims on Saturday.
Sajjad Hossain Saju, 14, said Nazimunnesa, deputy director of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, was killed. She said the boy was brought dead to the hospital, according to the Daily Star.
Nasrin Sultana, an official of Lalbagh Fire Service and Civil Defence, said unknown criminals charged several cocktails when members of the Shia community were taking their final preparations to bring out the mourning procession to Mohammadpur. She was leading the rescue team.
In a Somoy TV report, people were seen running frantically about the blast scene. Numerous flip-flops and sandals were scattered around and many of the injured, including a young woman, were seen being carried to microbuses or other vehicles.
The report also showed there were a few unexploded cocktails left on the ground.
“The perpetrators, I think, are those who consider Shia Muslims are not from their ideology,” retired Major General Abdur Rashid, a security analyst, told Anadolu Agency.