Roundup: Bombing attack in Bangladesh Eid prayer leaves four dead, situation under control
Xinhua, July 7, 2016 Adjust font size:
Before the wounds of a deadly terror attack that left 18 foreigners dead recover, Bangladesh suffered a fresh blow.
At least four people are dead, including two constables and an attacker, after several explosions and gunfire on Thursday morning at the entrance of Sholakia Eid prayer venue in Kishoreganj district, some 117 km northeast of Dhaka.
In the first-ever attack on Eid congregation, at least 11 people including six policemen were injured.
All the six policemen who were critically injured have been rushed to capital Dhaka, a police official said.
He said two police constables died on the spot after attacker exploded several bombs at a check post leading to Sholakia Eid prayer venue.
The official who preferred to be unnamed said an attacker and a woman died later when law enforcers and gunmen exchanged fire for about an hour.
Witnesses described hearing several explosions and subsequently exchange of gunfire between police and attackers at around 9:30 a.m. local time at the scene, where the largest congregation of prayer in Bangladesh is held on the occasion of Eid ul-Fitr that marks the end of the Muslims' holy fasting month of Ramadan.
Such attack on Eid day is said to be first time in Bangladesh. It was not known immediately who launched the attack.
A police official told Xinhua from Kishorganj that security measures have been beefed up after the incidents of bomb explosions and gun fire.
"We're closely monitoring the situation," said the official who did not like to be named.
"The entire situation is now under control."
Four including two attackers with bullet wounds have been detained.
The incident came about a week after a terror attack in a restaurant in Dhaka's diplomatic enclave Gulshan in which 22 people including 18 foreigners and two policemen were killed.
Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Thursday once again expressed her commitment in fighting terrorism and militancy and said there is no way for terrorism in the name of Islam, a religion of peace. Endit