Dhaka: Two Bangladeshi policeman were killed and nine other officers were wounded on Thursday as radical Islamists hurled crude bombs and engaged in a shootout with police. The attack took place near Sholakia ground at Kishoreganj district, before Eid prayers began at Bangladesh's largest congregation.
Here are the updates:
Latest reports say that four people have been killed in an attack aimed at a police contingent guarding the Sholakia Ground in Kishoreganj district. Abu Sayem, Additional Superintendent of Police in Kishoreganj, told the Daily Star that four victims were two police constables, a woman and an attacker.
Condemning the terror attack in Bangladesh, Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu said, terror has no religion or region, it is a threat to the humanity. Naidu appealed to the entire international community to unite together against terrorism. He opined that the United Nations should strongly condemn and ensure adequate steps are being taken to contain all such forces.
Giving more information of the ground situation, Bangladesh Information Minister said, while one attacker has been killed, another captured alive by the security forces.
A senior district official said the militants attacked police with "sharp weapons" after the grenades exploded.
According to Reuters, two policemen have been killed and nine other officers injured.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina condemns the terror attack on the occasion of Eid, says terrorism is against Islam and humanity.
Eid congregation attackers have taken shelter at a nearby school, gun fire is reported to be on.
More police forces have been dispatched to Kishoreganj where Eid attackers are believed to be holed up in a school.
Locals say 6-7 youths led the attack. They attacked cop with knife and exploded bombs.
India will send a team of National Security Guards (NSG) officials to assist Bangladesh.
Reports suggest that Imam of masjid at Sholakia, Maulana Farid Uddin Masud, was the main target of the terrorists.
Local media reports say that some militants are believed to be hiding in the area. However, there is no official information on this.
Police says assailants hurled homemade bombs at a police team, killing one officer, news agency Associated Press reported. It is not clear how many bombs may have exploded in the district of Kishoreganj.
Bangladesh I&B Minister confirms one cop killed, 8-9 people severely injured, in a bomb explosion during Eid prayer congregation in Kishoreganj.
The Minister says over three lakh people had gathered to offer prayers at the spot, culprits absconding and yet be identified.
200,000 people had gathered to offer prayers. There were also exchanges of gunfire at the scene.
"One police constable is dead and at least five others were injured," Mahbub, a police officer in the Kishoreganj control room, told AFP.
Reports say that one of the attackers reportedly killed while detonating a bomb.
Initial reports say that a policeman was killed and five injured in the blast that took place at Sholakia Eidgah, where people had gathered to offer prayers on the occasion of Eid ul-Fitr, the day of celebration after the Ramadan.
The unfortunate incident happened at 9:30 am in Kishoreganj area.
Minister of Information Hasanul Haq Inu confirmed that one cop was killed in the blast.
Following the blast, the security agencies have sounded red alert across the country.
Notably, the dreaded terrorist outfit Islamic State recently warned of barrage of terror attacks that would target Bangladesh and elsewhere until an Islamic caliphate prevails worldwide.
On Friday evening, a group of gunmen attacked the cafe in Banladesh capital Dhaka’s diplomatic district Gulshan, killing 22 people including two police officers and twenty hostages, 17 of whom were foreigners.
