Islamic State has reportedly claimed credit for the blast in front of a police box at the entrance to Dhaka's Shahjalal International Airport, describing it as a 'suicide attack'.
Published : 24 Mar 2017, 11:14 PM
Terrorism monitoring group SITE Intelligence tweeted that the Middle East-based radical group's mouthpiece Amaq news agency reported the "Suicide Bombing" in the Bangladesh capital near the airport.
"For the 2nd time in one week, #ISIS claimed a suicide bombing in the #Bangladesh capital #Dhaka, the latest targeting a police checkpoint," SITE said in another Twitter message.
IS’ ‘Amaq News Agency Reports Suicide Bombing in Bangladeshi Capital Near Airport https://t.co/x7B4Dvkpmo
— SITE Intel Group (@siteintelgroup) March 24, 2017
For the 2nd time in one week, #ISIS claimed a suicide bombing in the #Bangladesh capital #Dhaka, the latest targeting a police checkpoint pic.twitter.com/vNh8ClvOyV
— SITE Intel Group (@siteintelgroup) March 24, 2017
An airport police officer initially said it was a 'suicide attack', but Dhaka Metropolitan Police ruled it out as an attack of that nature.
DMP Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia said the explosion took place at a trolley bag a man was carrying through the area. It is suspected that he was carrying a bomb in the bag.
He declined to comment on whether militants were involved in the blast, which occurred a week after what the law-enforcing agencies said a suicide attack on a RAB camp in nearby Ashkona.