Bangladesh Madrasa Explosion Near Dhaka Injures Four, Including Children

Dhaka:At least four people, including two children, were injured after an explosion tore through a madrasa in the South Keraniganj area near Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka, according to local media reports.

The blast occurred on Friday afternoon at the Ummal Qura International Madrasa, located in the Hasnabad area. The explosion caused panic among residents in the vicinity and led to visible structural damage to the building housing the religious institution.

Police officials said that explosives and materials used for manufacturing bombs were recovered from inside the madrasa premises following the blast. Bangladeshi news outlet bdnews24 reported that law enforcement agencies immediately cordoned off the area and launched a detailed investigation.

Senior police official Mizanur confirmed the incident and said authorities were still working to determine the exact cause of the explosion.
“We are investigating how the blast occurred and what led to the presence of explosive materials at the site,” he said.

Local residents stated that the madrasa had around 50 students, but classes were not being held at the time of the incident due to the weekly holiday, which may have prevented a higher number of casualties.

Explosion Causes Structural Damage to Madrasa and Nearby Buildings

Eyewitnesses told local journalists that the explosion caused the collapse of walls in two rooms used by the madrasa. Cracks were also seen in the roof and supporting columns, raising concerns about the structural safety of the building.

A neighbouring property owner reported that their building also sustained damage due to the force of the blast, suggesting the explosion was powerful enough to affect surrounding structures.

Residents said the building had been rented for the past three years by a man identified as Mufti Harun, who was running the madrasa before transferring its management to his brother-in-law, Al Amin. After the blast, police reportedly recovered chemicals, crude explosive devices, and bomb-making equipment from inside the madrasa.

Property Owner Denies Knowledge of Illegal Activities

The owner of the building, Parveen Begum, said she was unaware of any unlawful activities taking place under the guise of the madrasa. She claimed she had rented out the property in good faith.

“When I went there on Friday, I saw that the area around the building had been blown apart,” she said, expressing shock at the incident.

Authorities are questioning individuals connected to the madrasa as part of the ongoing investigation to determine whether the site was being used for illegal activities.

Separate Blast in Dhaka Kills One, Fuels Security Concerns

The madrasa explosion comes amid a broader backdrop of rising violence in Bangladesh. Earlier this week, a man was killed after a crude explosive device was hurled from a flyover in the Mogbazar area of Dhaka, according to police officials.

The incident occurred on Wednesday evening beneath the flyover near the Moghbazar Freedom Fighters’ Memorial, a location that typically sees heavy public movement. Witnesses said an explosive device was thrown from the top of the flyover and detonated on the road below, critically injuring the victim.

The man was later identified as Siam, who succumbed to his injuries shortly after the explosion.
“We believe a cocktail bomb was thrown from the flyover, which struck the victim and exploded,” a police official said, adding that efforts are underway to identify and arrest those responsible.

Law and Order Situation Under Scrutiny

These incidents have intensified concerns over law and order in Bangladesh, which has been facing increasing instability under the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government. Security agencies have stepped up vigilance in sensitive areas amid fears of further attacks.

Authorities have assured the public that investigations are ongoing and that strict action will be taken against those involved in acts of violence threatening public safety.

(The content is sourced from agencies and has not been edited by mtimes.co.in.)