Shariatpur

The death toll in the bomb explosion in Zajira upazila of Shariatpur district has risen to two after Md Nabin Hossain, 22, succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), The Daily Star reported.

Another injured person, Arman Nayan Molla, 25, remains in critical condition.

According to the report, the explosion occurred early Thursday inside a tin-shed house in Beparikandi village under Bilashpur Union. The blast destroyed the structure and blew off its roof. Police later recovered bomb-making materials from the site.

Md Faruk, in-charge of the DMCH police camp, said Nabin died around 4:30 pm while doctors were assessing the injured and the damage caused by the explosion. Nabin, a mechanic by profession, had sustained severe injuries to his face and hands. His body has been kept at the hospital morgue.

In a related development, police recovered the mutilated body of Sohan Bepari, 32, from a crop field located about half a kilometre from the blast site. Authorities are investigating how the body ended up there.

Saleh Ahmed, Officer-in-Charge of Zajira Police Station, said preliminary findings suggest the explosion occurred while bombs were being manufactured. Police are continuing to probe the circumstances surrounding the deaths and injuries.

The incident comes days after clashes on January 4 at Budhairhat Bazar, where rival groups allegedly detonated over 100 cocktail bombs during a dispute over local dominance. Police later recovered four buckets of abandoned bombs during an operation, The Daily Star reported.

Local residents said the tin-shed house where the explosion occurred had been built about two months ago by Sagar Bepari. After visiting the area, Additional Superintendent of Police Tarvir Hossain said bloodstains were found on the road and evidence pointed to the preparation of cocktail bombs amid a rivalry between supporters of Union Parishad Chairman Kuddus Bepari and rival leader Jalil Madbar.

Police sources said clashes between the two groups have occurred repeatedly, with both sides allegedly resorting to bomb attacks. Earlier explosions in Bilashpur on April 5 and November 2 last year led to cases under the Explosives Act against both leaders and their supporters. While Kuddus Bepari was later granted bail, Jalil Madbar remains in jail.

ALSO READ: Kashmir: Naranag offers ensemble of spiritualism, history, nature, and life

The developments come ahead of Bangladesh’s next national election, scheduled for February 12, a politically significant event following the student-led movement that led to the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024.