On 17 August 2005, around 500 bomb explosions occurred at 300 locations in 63 out of the 64 districts of Bangladesh. The bombs exploded within a half-hour period starting from 11:30 am. An terrorist organization, Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) claimed responsibility for the bombings. The group, led by Shaykh Abdur Rahman and Siddiqur Rahman (also known as Bangla Bhai), is alleged to be affiliated with Al Qaeda, although this has not been proven. Another terrorist group, named Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami, was associated with JMB in executing the co-ordinated attack. Following the bombings, both groups were banned by the Government of Bangladesh.
| 2005 Bangladesh bombings | |
|---|---|
| Location | Across Bangladesh |
| Date | 17 August 2005 11:30 (UTC+06:00) |
| Target | Bangladesh |
Attack type | About 500 bombs |
| Deaths | 2 |
| Injured | 115+ |
| Perpetrators | Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami |
Attacks
The bomb exploded near Government facilities. In Dhaka, they exploded near Bangladesh Secretariat, the Supreme Court Complex, the Prime Minister's Office, the Dhaka University campus, the Dhaka Sheraton Hotel and Zia International Airport.[citation needed] At least 115 people were injured when 500 small bombs were exploded in 62 out of 63 districts of Bangladesh.[1][2] The explosion killed two people (a child in Savar, near Dhaka, and a rickshaw-puller in Chapai Nawabganj District), and injured a further 50.[3]
Victims
- Rickshaw driver Rabiul Islam was injured when seven bombs exploded at about 11:10 am at Biswa Road crossing near Shah Neamatullah College in the Nawabganj. He died on way to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital.[4]
- Schoolboy Abdus Salam, who was 10 was injured when bomb exploded outside his house in Savar. He died in the hospital.[4]
Trials
The main perpetrators of the bombing, Bangla Bhai and Shaykh Abdur Rahman, were captured by the Rapid Action Battalion in early March 2006.[5] They were convicted of murder and terrorism charges, along with four other militants, and were executed by hanging on 30 March 2007.[6] Five suspects were sentenced to death and one to 20 years in prison for their part in the bomb attacks in Bogra.[7] By 2013, 200 cases out of 273 cases filed in connection with 2005 Bangladesh bombings have been disposed of. Different courts have sentenced 58 people to death and 150 were sentenced to life in prison and 300 others were sentenced to various terms in prisons.[8]
Reactions
- The Indian Government expressed "serious concern and strong condemnation" of the bombings.[9]
- Motiur Rahman Nizami, the then industry minister, from Jamaat-e-Islami blamed India for the blast.[10]
- Moudud Ahmed, the then law minister, from Bangladesh Nationalist Party said "If they try for 100 years, they will not turn Bangladesh into a Taliban state,".[10]
- The then chief cleric Ubaidul Haq remarked to thousands of worshippers at Baitul Mukarram Mosque, "Islam prohibits suicide bombings. These bombers are enemies of Islam. It is a duty for all Muslims to stand up against those who are killing people in the name of Islam."[11]
See also
References
- ^ "Bangladesh arrests 200 over August bombings". Daily Times. Archived from the original on 9 July 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
- ^ Khalil, Tasneem. "Bomb blasts shake Bangladesh". CNN. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
- ^ "Bombs explode across Bangladesh". BBC News. 17 August 2005. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
- ^ a b "459 blasts in 63 districts in 30 minutes". The Daily Star. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
- ^ ."Top Bangladesh militant captured: police" Archived 31 March 2007 at the Wayback Machine, Reuters news report, 6 March 2006.
- ^ "Bangladesh seeks regional cooperation against terrorism", PTI News, 24 February 2009
- ^ "Five Islamists jailed for 2005 Bangladesh bombings". The Hindu. AP. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
- ^ Sarkar, Kailash; Chowdhury, Kamran Reza. "No compiled data on Aug 17 serial blasts". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
- ^ "Almost 90 arrested after Bangladesh bombings". China Daily. AFP. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
- ^ a b "All over the place". The Economist. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
- ^ "Protest against Bangladesh bombs". BBC News. Retrieved 27 January 2016.