Use of time bombs suspected

Investigators reckon time bombs were used in the attack on the Kharampur shrine in Akhaura on Friday night.

Earlier, Brahmanbaria Deputy Commissioner (DC) M Saidur Rahman suspected them to be grenades, considering the extent of damage wreaked by the blasts to the main gate of the shrine.

But, police investigators so far have not found any lever, splinter or any other part of grenade on the spot. The bombing at the shrine of Hazrat Shah Sayed Ahmed Gesu Daras, popularly known as Kolla Shahid, killed a middle-aged man and injured some 50 others including a policeman.

The coroners did not find any splinter in the dead man's body and doctors too have not seen any in the injured ones', sources concerned said.

Detective Branch (DB) officials said they found the 10th bomb, which failed to explode, wired to a clock and two pencil batteries.

One of them requesting anonymity said the bombs most probably were timed, as they blasted after regular intervals. But the devices were locally made, crude and not much strong, he added.

Captain Momtazur Rahman of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) said if the bombs were strong ones, the casualty would have been huge. He, however, declined to comment on the clock and batteries wired to the unexploded bomb. But Additional Police Superintendent M Jahangir Hossain said the clock was inactive.

There has not been any change in the opinion of the district police authorities that the Kharampur bombs were similar to those used in the attack on an Ahmadiyya mosque at Kandipara about two months ago.

DC Saidur Rahman claimed there was no negligence in safety and security measures at the shrine on that fatal night, as 112 policemen including officers had been on duty there.

Meanwhile, the spots of the blasts have not been cordoned off yet, as is customary in such cases, exposing the evidence to the risk of ruin.

Additional SP Jahangir Hossain however defended their action, or non-action, saying they have collected some evidence and took pictures of the spots.

Meanwhile, Dipu, 20, one of the two suspected bomb-carriers, fled from Brahmanbaria Sadar Hospital dodging the police guard.

On the issue, Brahmanbaria SP ATM Tareque said actions will be taken against the police stationed at the hospital to watch over him, adding their primary quizzing suggests the two arrestees might be innocent.

The police also have not begun investigating into the case filed by the shrine committee, as the investigation officer Tajul Islam has been suspended due to alleged negligence in duty.

Despite the tension and fear sparked off by the attack, hundreds of devotees came to attend the end prayer of the 7-day Ors yesterday.