Six people, including a suicide bomber, were killed and several others injured in bomb explosions in the northern Bangladesh town of Netrokona Thursday, witnesses said.
A suspected suicide bomber who forced his way into a crowd in a bicycle blew himself up near the office of Udichi, a local Left-leaning cultural group, witnesses and media reports said.
Police sources confirmed that four people were killed on the spot, while two more among the critically injured died in nearby Mymensingh Medical College Hospital.
Police said earlier, a bomb was spotted at the same area and as fire fighters tried to defuse the device by pumping water, a huge blast took place. The second explosion occurred as the district police chief was inspecting the scene of the first blast. The police officer escaped unhurt.
Among the injured were nine policemen, of whom five were in critical condition, police said. Media reports said among
the wounded were an alleged second bomber who authorities believe failed to detonate his explosives.
No one has claimed responsibility for the attack, but media reports quoted police officials as saying that the banned Jamatul Mujaheedin Bangladesh is suspected to be involved. The JMB reportedly earlier circulated leaflets in the town about the attack.
