Three hurt in cocktail blast

At least three people, including a policeman, were injured after three cocktails exploded near them before the Khulna Chamber of Commerce and Industry building on Lower Jessore Road of Khulna city last night.
Splinters from the exploding cocktails hit Abdul Zabber, 35, chauffeur of a businessman, in the abdomen, constable Liton Howlader in the left hand and Khorshed Alam, 37, chauffeur of the Khulna City Corporation mayor, stated witnesses.
Indian High Commissioner Pankaj Saran was inside the building, attending, as chief guest, a meeting on bilateral trade between Bangladesh and India during the explosions, which took place around 8:15pm.
He, however, left the venue unhurt under police protection afterwards.
Abdul Zabber said he was gossiping with other chauffeurs outside the building and policemen were on duty nearby when the cocktails exploded.
Assistant Police Commissioner of Khulna Metropolitan Police Abul Kalam Azad, however, said there was no policeman among the injured.
Additional police and Rapid Action Battalion members conducted raids in adjoining areas but none was arrested till 10:00pm.