A series of bombs exploded almost simultaneously in the Bangladesh capital Dhaka, the main port city Chittagong and other towns today, injuring at least 40 people and triggering widespread panic.
State Minister for Home Affairs, M. Lutfuzzaman Babr, told television channels that the blasts appeared to be "pre-planned and well organised" but did not blame any individual or group. "We are looking into the matter while taking security precautions," he said.
The bombs exploded on the streets, at courts and near key government buildings in various places across Bangladesh. One bomb also exploded outside Dhaka's Sheraton Hotel, security officers said.
No one claimed responsibility for the blasts, but copies of a leaflet found at bomb sites carried a call by a banned Islamic group, Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen, for Islamic rule in Bangladesh.
"It is the third call to establish Islamic rule in the country. If ignored and (if) our people are arrested or persecuted, Jaamat-ul-Mujahideen will take the counter action," the leaflet said. It also warned the United States and Britain against occupation of Muslim lands.
"It is also to warn Bush and Blair to vacate Muslim countries, or to face Muslim upsurge," said the leaflet, referring to U.S President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Bangladesh banned Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen along with Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh in February for their alleged involvement in criminal activities, officials said.
"We have reports of blasts from different areas and security forces have rushed to the spots," a police officer of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police said. A police officer in Chittagong said he believed the bombs were locally made and remotely controlled.