Explosion at Cumilla temple leaves priest, two others wounded

Police say attackers hurled another crude bomb at a nearby mosque while fleeing

A crude bomb has exploded at a temple in Cumilla city, injuring the temple priest and two others.

The incident occurred at Thakurpara Kaligachhtala Temple on Saturday, police said.

As the assailants fled the scene, they threw two more crude bombs near a neighbouring mosque, police added.

Those injured include Keshab Chakraborty, priest of Kaligachhtala Temple, and Abdul Barek, a worshipper at Baganbari Mosque.

The identity of the third victim has not yet been confirmed.

All three were admitted to Cumilla Sadar Hospital for treatment.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Md Anisuzzaman said three unidentified individuals threw a crude bomb into the temple pavilion.

The priest was injured when the device exploded as he attempted to move it away with a stick, he said.

As the attackers fled the scene, they left a bag in front of the temple and detonated two more crude bombs in front of a nearby mosque. Two worshippers at the mosque sustained injuries in those blasts.

The SP suggested that the attack might have been a deliberate attempt to destabilise the region following the general election.

Police have secured the abandoned white bag.

A bomb disposal unit from Dhaka has been called in to inspect the bag and conduct a thorough investigation, the officer said.