Bomb hidden in a packet of puffed rice explodes in Khulna's Dighalia, Jamaat leader Monirul Islam injured

Jamaat-e-Islami leader M M Monirul Islam (63) has been injured in Dighalia upazila of Khulna when a bomb left by miscreants inside a packet of puffed rice exploded.

The incident took place at around 5:45am on Tuesday (3 November) at the Jamaat leader's home on the west side of Kolar Pukur in Senhati of the upazila. Panic has gripped the area following the incident.

Police and locals said ward-7 Jamaat president M M Monirul Islam returned home after Fajr prayers at around 5:45am on Tuesday and found puffed rice in a polythene packet in front of his door.

Thinking someone had left the packet outside by mistake, he carried it inside the house. As soon as the packet was placed on the floor inside, it exploded.

The explosion burnt various parts of Monirul Islam's body and set fire to furniture in the room. Locals rushed in, brought the fire under control and rescued the injured Jamaat leader, taking him to Dighalia Upazila Health Complex.

Dighalia police station officer-in-charge (OC) Arup Kumar Chowdhury said: 'Evidence has been collected from the scene. Senior authorities have been informed. It is believed the miscreants carried out this act to create panic in the area. Preparations for filing a case are under way.'