The blasts that left a rickshaw-puller injured in Chittagong triggered a fresh panic among people. Police chief Nur Mohammad said although the incident was small-scale, they are looking into it seriously and all intelligence agencies are directed to find out the attackers.

The bombs were detonated between 6:45am and 7:10am. The explosions raised security threats leading the law enforcers to set up several hundred check points in the capital and elsewhere.

The law enforcers had been apprehending retaliation from the banned Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) following the execution of its six members including five top leaders on March 29.

However, Tuesday's blasts at the railway terminals created confusion about whether the JMB is behind the incidents or a new militant group has emerged as aluminium plates recovered from the blast sites bore inscriptions of "Zadid al Qaeda, Bangladesh" (meaning new al Qaeda or an establishment of al Queda).

Police, Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) and other intelligence agencies are suspecting the attack was a militant one but they are yet to be sure about the identity of the group behind it. They also could not arrest anyone as of last evening.

"We are investigating whether the third-fourth row leaders-activists of JMB have reorganised and orchestrated the bomb blasts or another new militant group is behind it," Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Naieem Ahmed said at a press briefing yesterday.

He said the law enforcers were fully unaware of the name of Zadid al Qaeda, Bangladesh and its activities in the past.

The law enforcers said they are verifying the mission of JMB and the Zadid al Qaeda to identify if JMB activists carried out the attack under a new identity.

The JMB mission was to establish the rule of Islamic law through Jihad and their targets included the court, NGOs, jatra (traditional theatre) and cinemas. Tuesday's attackers expressed their vengeance on the NGOs and Kadiyanis (Ahmadiyyas).

The one-foot radius aluminium plates found near the scene bore a message inscribed on it: "The Kadiyanis and NGOs prepare for death. It is haram [prohibited] to work in NGOs and having relation with the Kadiyanis. All must quit NGO jobs by May 10, all Kadiyanis must recognise Prophet Muhammad (SM) as the last and best prophet and if you fail to do it before the aforesaid time, your death is a must." Below the message was inscribed: Zadid al Qaeda, Bangladesh.

Rab Director General Hasan Mahmud Khandaker at the press briefing said they are investigating the matter seriously and are hopeful to find out those involved in the incident.

"The incident took place when a stable situation was prevailing in the country. So, we are also taking into consideration whether the bombs were blasted to destabilise the situation."

He said three separate cases were filed and the intelligence agencies have started investigating the incidents.

The Rab DG also sought cooperation from people to root out militants.

KAMALAPUR
The explosion took place at 6:50am in front of the ticket counters at the Kamalapur Railway Station in the capital.

"Hearing a bang I turned around and found smoke and a large number of small pieces of papers blown in the air," said a boy of the station cafeteria. He said no one was around the spot at that time.

He also said security personnel at the station rushed to the place and cordoned off the area. Later, explosives experts from the Rab and Criminal Investigation Department visited the spot and collected evidence.

The explosion occurred when Communications Secretary Dr Mahbubur Rahman was attending the opening ceremony of Rail Service Week 2007 at the Kamalapur Railway Station auditorium.

Law enforcers said they did not find any splinter. Explosives experts seized two pencil batteries, pieces of a bag in which the bomb was probably kept and pieces of papers from the spot.

CHITTAGONG
Our correspondent in Chittagong reports: A bomb set off on the Chittagong Railway Station platform at 7:10am injuring rickshaw-puller Munir Hossain, 35.

Witnesses said an unidentified person came to the place with a bag, gave the bag to a woman beggar, and left hastily saying it contains some breakfast.

The woman then called another beggar to share the breakfast and requested Munir to help them open the bag. As Munir tried to open the bag, the bomb inside went off leaving him injured.

Police recovered some Scotch tape, broken remains of a clock and torn papers from the scene.

Munir is undergoing treatment at Chittagong Medical College and Hospital.

Abu Bakar Siddique, assistant commissioner of Chittagong Metropolitan Police (Kotwali Zone), said they have already interrogated 15 suspects.

A case was filed with the Kotwali Police Station under explosives act.

SYLHET
Our Sylhet correspondent reports: Sylhet Railway Station Manager Abdul Ghani said the bomb exploded at 7:20am with a huge bang near some fixed chairs on the platform.

"We thought something fell on the floor from upstairs," he told The Daily Star, adding that as the chairs were empty, none was hurt. Some one might have kept the bag under the chairs.

Some torn papers and small remains of explosives were found at the blast spot. A round aluminium plate covered with old newspapers was also found in a bag at the place of explosion.

Sylhet kotwali police yesterday picked up Sheikh Kazi Al Amin, 24, son of Abdul Hamid of Bade Halenga village under Kalmakanda upazila of Netrakona from the slum near the Sylhet Railway Station for interrogation.

The police picked up four persons from the slum but released three upon preliminary interrogation.