Bomb Attack Alleged at Kushtia School After Student Expelled from Test Exam

A bomb attack has been alleged at a school in Daulatpur upazila of Kushtia after a student was expelled from the SSC selection (test) examination on allegations of adopting unfair means. The incident took place on Monday (November 2) afternoon at Philipnagar Secondary School in the upazila.

According to police and local sources, the SSC selection examination was under way at the school. During the English second paper examination, head teacher Md. Asaduzzaman Asad seized mobile phones from five students. At that time, one student was expelled on allegations of violating examination rules and attempting to cheat.

It is alleged that after the expulsion, the student returned to the school with several friends and hurled two bomb-like objects at the head teacher's office. The objects exploded with a loud bang. Panic spread among the school's students and teachers after the incident.

Police later recovered a motorcycle from the scene. Police claim the motorcycle belongs to Khaja Ahmed, a former president of Kushtia district Chhatra Shibir and the Jamaat-nominated chairman candidate for Philipnagar Union.

No statement could be obtained from the accused student or his family in connection with the incident. When Khaja Ahmed was contacted on his mobile phone for comment on the motorcycle's ownership and the incident, he disconnected the call after hearing the question. Repeated later attempts to reach him also failed.

The school's head teacher, Md. Asaduzzaman Asad, said, “I was in my own room at the time. Hearing the sound of the explosion, I came out and saw everyone rushing out. But I cannot say who carried out the incident. Students were asked to deposit their mobile phones in the examination hall. Some deposited them. Later, when one student tried to cheat, he was expelled. A few minutes after that, this incident happened outside.”

Kamal Hossain, academic supervisor of the Upazila Secondary Education Office, said, “I did not learn of the matter immediately after the incident. In the evening, the school's head teacher informed me that a student had been expelled during the SSC candidates' test examination. A short while later, a loud sound was heard behind the school and the teachers and students panicked. Police later went to the spot. They are investigating the matter.”

Khaledur Rahman, officer-in-charge (OC) of Daulatpur Police Station, said, “The school authorities expelled a student for violating rules in the examination hall. After that, the sound of two bomb explosions was heard beside the school. On receiving the news, police went to the spot and are working. A motorcycle has been recovered from the scene. Investigation has found Jamaat leader Khaja Ahmed as the owner of the motorcycle. No one has been arrested in this incident so far. The matter is being investigated.”

Daulatpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Anindya Guha said, “After learning of the incident, police were sent to the spot. Legal action will be taken in this incident subject to investigation.”