At least 11 people have been injured in a bomb attack on a procession, led by Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan, on Monday.
Published : 16 Feb 2015, 01:24 PM
The procession was heading towards BNP chief Khaleda Zia’s Gulshan office.
Several of those injured were in serious condition, said freedom fighter Abul Kalam Azad, who attended the procession.
Six to seven bombs were hurled at the procession around 12:15pm when it was crossing Gulshan’s Metropolitan Shopping Mall, he said.
“The minister was right at the front. The bombing took place after he had crossed the market,” Azad told bdnews24.com.
Khan, leader of pro-government transport workers, led the procession demanding withdrawal of the BNP-sponsored blockades and shutdowns.
He was leading the procession under the banner of ‘coordination council’ of which he is convenor.
BNP Chairperson Khaleda, who boycotted the last general elections, called an indefinite blockade across Bangladesh on Jan 5 to press for a snap poll.
Businesses say they have sustained huge losses because of the ongoing agitation.
Freedom fighter Azad said the explosions triggered panic among the people who ran for their lives.
Businesses in the area downed shutters while the shopping mall was closed after the blasts.
Three of the injured – Babul Ahmed, 54, Motaleb Khalashi, 22, and Obaidul Khalashi, 21 – were taken to the Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH).
DMCH police outpost Inspector Mozammel Haque said Babul had injuries on his right foot and head.
Minister Khan visited them after the procession.
Gulshan police’s Deputy Commissioner Lutful Kabir said at least eight others, injured in Monday’s attack, were being treated at various hospitals.
He suspected the bombs had been lobbed from the market’s rooftop. “We’ll search the market,” he said.
Gulshan Police Station’s Operation Officer Firoz Kabir said they had arrested 10 people from Gulshan for questioning.