DHAKA: Dozens of crude bombs have exploded and passenger vehicles have been set on fire in Bangladesh’s capital and elsewhere over the past three days, leaving one person dead and others injured, authorities and media reports said Tuesday.
The violence coincided with reports that the ousted former prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, plans to return from exile next month, though any connection remained unclear.
Mohammad Akhtar Hossain, a police spokesman, said at least 33 people were arrested Monday in Dhaka and more arrests were made elsewhere. He said a banned group was behind the attacks but did not identify it.
As many as 15 crude bombs exploded in the central district of Manikganj, near Dhaka, early Tuesday, and a driver was killed when a parked bus was set on fire, the country’s leading newspapers reported.
In Dhaka, crude bombs exploded over the three days, including at the Dhaka University campus and at the premises of a court on Tuesday, with two people injured. Several vehicles were also torched.
Hossain said seven crude bombs were recovered during search operations, and two motorcycles used in the attacks were also seized in Dhaka. He said security has been increased across the city.
The ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party accused Hasina’s followers of the violence, saying they want to destabilize the country.
