Security stepped up as blasts rock three major cities in Bangladesh

Dhaka, May 1 (UNI) Security was stepped up across Bangladesh after crude bombs exploded at railway stations in Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet today, injuring at least one person, police said.

An Islamic militant outfit, Jadida AL Qaeda, claimed responsibility for the bomb blasts to stop the activities of NGOs and the Quadiani Muslim community in the country by May 10.

Some leaflets of the militant outfit, containing their demands, were found at Kamlapur railway station in Dhaka after the blast occurred at 0645 hrs local time. The bombs also exploded in Sylhet and Chittagong within three hours of the Dhaka blast, police said.

In southeastern Chittagong, a home-made bomb was exploded at the main gate of the old railway station, injuring a rickshaw-puller who was admitted to a local hospital, police added.

Immediately after the incident, the authorities posted police at NGO offices and worship places of the Quadiani Muslim community, who are blamed as Non-Muslims.

The police also conducted raids at different suspected places in Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet to nab the members of the new militant organisation. One suspected person was arrested in Dhaka for interrogation.

Law and Information Advisor Barrister Mainul Hosein told reporters although the incident appeared small, the government took it very seriously for protecting public life and property.

Intelligence agencies are investigating whether Jadida Al Qaeda has any link with banned Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB).

On August 17, 2005, JMB launched simultaneous bomb attacks in the country's 63 district headquarters to press for establishment of Islamic laws in the country.

Recently, six top JMB leaders, including its chief Shaikh Abdur Rahman and his second-in-command, were hanged while several hundred JMB militants are now in different jails.

UNI