Bomb-like object explodes at Barishal Court

A bomb-like object exploded inside the Barishal District and Sessions Judge Court compound, adjacent to the main gate, on Wednesday. Local witnesses and police personnel present at the scene said the explosion occurred at around 10:32am.

CID Crime Scene In-charge Khalilur Rahman said they had inspected the site of the explosion. Pieces of glass and plastic, along with suspected gunpowder materials, were collected from the spot.

A police bomb disposal unit is coming from Dhaka and will confirm the nature of the explosive, Police Commissioner Abu Raihan Md Saleh said.

Barishal Metropolitan Police Commissioner Abu Raihan Md Saleh, who visited the scene, told reporters that it could have been a firecracker-like explosion. “We are investigating the incident,” he said.

Nationalist Lawyers Forum member Advocate Taslim Uddin said Law Minister is scheduled to attend a programme on August 16, and suggested that the incident could have been carried out by “fascists” to disrupt the programme.

Following the incident, panic spread across the court premises, with a large number of police personnel surrounding the area.

People coming to the court for hearings and other legal matters entered the premises amid concern over the incident.

Advocate Taslim Uddin confirmed that judicial proceedings continued despite the explosion.

It is worth noting that on August 3, three members of a family were seriously injured in an IED explosion in Dudhal Mou village of Bakerganj upazila in Barishal district.

While the investigation into that incident was still ongoing, another explosion occurred at the court premises on Wednesday.