Islamist grenade attack on journalists in Bangladesh
February 20, 2009 by SAF Desk
Filed under News at a glance
Zahid Al Amin
A member of notorious Islamist outfit named Jamaatul Mujahedin Bangladesh [JMB] charged grenade on members of the press in Gazipur, only 5 kilometers from the capital city on Friday afternoon injuring 5 journalists and 9 police.
According to various information, five militants, three women and two men, of the outlawed Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh were arrested at a house in Khortoil of Tongi earlier in the day with a haul of five hand grenades and bomb-making materials, police said.
Gazipur Sadar superintendent of police Abdul Baten was briefing the media on the arrests at around 5pm when the grenade was detonated. The injured people were taken to Gazipur Hospital.
“Some 100 journalists and police were gathered at the SP’s conference room,” assistant SP Jamil Hasan told Weekly Blitz.
“As the press briefing concluded, and people were leaving, the photographers were taking photos of the arrestees and the seized explosives,” said Hasan.
“One of the militants, Mamunur Rashid, pounced on one of the grenades that were on display for the press.”
Mamun removed the pin and threw the grenade before anyone could stop him, said the police official.
A CID bomb disposal unit came and removed the remaining grenades and explosives, said Hasan.
Police chief Baten said the arrested people were believed to have been plotting attacks at the International Mother Language Day programs. It is learnt from a number of sources that Islamists are planning sudden offensives during February 21-March 26 in Bangladesh mostly targeting large public meetings or cultural programs.