Crude bomb explosions leave 3 injured in Cumilla

Three people were injured in a series of crude bomb explosions near Kalagachitala temple and adjacent road in Takurpara Baganbari, Cumilla yesterday evening (7 March).

The identified injured include the temple priest, Keshab Chakraborty, and local resident Abdul Barek. The identity of the other injured person was not immediately known.

Cumilla Superintendent of Police Md Anisuzzaman said the priest and two others, including a passerby, were injured in the explosions.

"Police are continuing operations to arrest those responsible as quickly as possible," he said.

Officer-in-Charge of Kotwali Model Police Station Md Touhidul Anwar told the media that police have obtained CCTV footage from the scene and are investigating the incident.

"At this moment, we cannot confirm the motive or identify those behind the explosions. However, drives are underway to arrest the perpetrators," he said.

CCTV footage shows a masked individual entering the temple premises with a bag at around 6:28pm. Several other people were seen standing nearby. After placing the bag, the masked person ran away, moments before an explosion occurred, injuring priest Keshab Chakraborty. He was later taken to hospital for treatment.

Police said the attackers set off two more crude bomb explosions near a nearby Buddhist temple and the adjacent road while fleeing the scene.

General Secretary of the Cumilla unit of the Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council, Tapas Bakshi, said the attack may have been carried out to disrupt communal harmony.

"Police have seized some evidence from the scene, including a Chinese axe and a bag. We demand a proper investigation into the incident," he said.

Shyamal Krishna Saha, president of the Cumilla metropolitan unit of Puja Front, also said that the attack was intended to disturb communal harmony.

"There are a Buddhist temple, two Hindu temples and a mosque in the area. The explosions appear to have been carried out targeting this location," he said.