1st LD: Grenades explosion kills one, injures scores in Ashura celebration preparation in Bangladesh capital

Blasts during Ashura celebration preparation in front of a key venue in old Dhaka part of Bangladesh capital Dhaka Saturday left one dead and scores of others injured.

The blasts occurred 1:30 a.m. (local time) when Shiite Muslims were gathering there for a traditional procession to be brought out from there in the morning marking the holy Ashura.

"One youth was dead and at least 70 people were injured as three handmade grenades blasted," said a police officer who preferred to be unnamed.

This is the first time that Bangladesh Ashura mourners come under such a deadly attack.

It was not immediately clear who carried out the attack or why.

Ashura, or the 10th of Muharram in the Islamic calendar, is observed in Bangladesh to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, grandson of Islam's Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his companions.

Thousands of Muslim mourners, specially Shitie Muslims, are seen every year gathering in old Dhaka's Hussaini Dalan, a key venue for majlis or gatherings.

During the first 10 days of Muharram, Hussaini Dalan has become a center of mourning and religious gathering in the Bangladesh capital. Endit