Dhaka – Three successive explosions at a Shia Muslim gathering in Old Dhaka lef one dead and nearly 100 others wounded on early Saturday as they were preparing for a Tazia procession at the Husseini Dalan Road in Nazirabazar.
Three handmade explosive devices were detonated in the midst of a gathering of Shia Muslims outside the Husseini Dalan Imambarha.The Shias were preparing for the Tazia procession on the occasion of Ashura when the bomb attack took place at around 2am, Chawk Bazar Police told journalists.
Polce sources said the devices were hand-made bombs hurled at the gathering. Two suspects were arrested at the scene of the blasts.
The deceased, aged between 10 and 12 years, was identified as, ‘Sanju’ at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).
At least 44 people wounded in the blasts were hospitalised at Dhaka Medical College Hospital and the Mitford Hospital.
The incident occurred at a time when police and other law-enforcing agencies strengthened security in Dhaka for Durga Puja that ended on Thursday and for Ashura.
There were 20,000 to 25,000 people in the crowd when the bombs were exploded. “Police and RAB personnel checked the venue at the Husseini Dalan before the procession. Then the explosions took place,” Some of them said.
Police took away two to three bomb-like objects from the place. One bomb did not explode, sources said.
Shias bring out traditional tazia processions mournig the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad SM on the occasion of the holy Ashura from Mohammadpur, Mirpur, Moghbazar and Paltan every year.
Hussaini Dalan Imambarha is the venue where members of the Shia community gather. In the al-Hijra month of Muharram they bring out tazia procesions and perform other rites. – News Desk
