5-year-old killed, siblings injured in explosion while playing with reported crude bomb in Jashore

At least three children, who are siblings, suffered moderate to severe injuries after a reported crude bomb, which they were playing with in their house, exploded in Jashore today (19 May).

The deceased has been identified as Khadizatul Kobra, daughter of Sumi Khatun and her ex-husband, the late Sujan Mia of Shankarpur area of Jashore city.

The injured are Sabuj Ahmed (7), Khadiza's brother, and Ayesha Khatun (3), Khadiza's maternal stepsister.

According to family and local sources, Sabuj found the reported crude bomb - which looked like a green cricket ball - while playing at a local playground of Golpata Masque area of Shankarpur in the morning.

Md Akhtaruzzaman, a neighbour of the children, said Sabuj took the object home and was playing with it when it exploded, leaving Khadiza and Sabuj severely wounded. The youngest of the three, Ayesha, was also injured. They were taken to the Jashore 250-bed General Hospital.

Sumi Khatun, mother of the deceased Khadiza, said she also thought the object wrapped in tape was a ball. "When I saw it in the children's hands, I thought they were playing with a ball. After the explosion, I initially thought it was a power outage. Later, I realised that it was a bomb."

Dr Emon Hossain, who works at the surgery department of the hospital, said, "Among the three injured, Khadija and Sabuj were in critical condition. They were referred to Dhaka for better treatment."

The children's neighbour Akhtaruzzaman, said, "Khadija died in the car near Narail on the way to Dhaka. Some of the relatives returned to Jashore with her body."

Meanwhile, after the incident, army and police personnel rushed to the spot. They inspected the location where the reported crude bomb was found and the scene of the explosion. However, no other cocktail bombs were found there.

Jashore Kotowali Model Police Station's acting Officer-in-Charge Abul Hasnat said he was informed of the matter