Gopalganj, Bangladesh, Feb 12: A crude bomb exploded today at a polling center in Gopalganj district during Bangladesh’s national parliamentary elections, injuring three people, officials said. This marks the first major vote since the 2024 events that led to the ousting of long-time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The blast occurred around 9:00 AM at the Reshma International School polling center in Nichupara area of Gopalganj Sadar upazila, a former stronghold of Sheikh Hasina. Reports indicate a crude hand bomb or cocktail bomb was thrown at the facility, possibly from across a nearby canal.
Three people sustained minor injuries: two Ansar paramilitary personnel—Sukanto Majumdar and Jamal Hossain—and a 13-year-old girl, Amena Khanam, who had accompanied a voter. All received prompt treatment, and voting was briefly suspended for about 15 minutes before resuming under heightened security. Authorities collected evidence from the site, but no immediate claims of responsibility or arrests have been reported.
The incident is part of broader poll-day violence across Bangladesh, including crude bomb explosions in Munshiganj, clashes resulting in at least one death in Khulna, and pre-voting bomb detonations in some areas. Voter turnout was reported at around 32.88% by midday. The elections are pivotal, with key contests involving the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) amid ongoing political tensions.
