1999 Jessore bombings

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1999 Jessore bombings
Location Jessore, Bangladesh
Date6 March 1999 (UTC+06:00)
Target Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigoshthi
Attack type
Mass murder; bombing; terrorism
Weapons Time bombs
Deaths10
Injured150
Perpetrators Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami

A terrorist attack on an event of Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigoshthi in Jessore, Bangladesh occurred on 6 March 1999. Two time bombs were used to kill 10 people and injure another 150.

Contents

Background

Bangladesh Udichi Shilpi goshthi is the largest cultural organisation in Bangladesh. In 2013, the organisation was awarded the Ekushey Padak, the Bangladesh's most prestigious award. [1] [2] Since 1999 many veteran jihadists from Afghanistan returned to Bangladesh and carried out attacks in Bangladesh. [3]

Attack

The attacks happened after midnight at a cultural event of Udichi Shilpi goshthi in Jessore, Bangladesh. Five people were killed at the scene. [4] Two time bombs exploded. The attacks took place on 6 March 1999. [5] The event was taking place in Jessore Town hall grounds. [6] Ten people were killed. [7] The attacks were carried out by Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami Bangladesh. Over 100 people were injured. [8]

Trial

Mufti Abdul Hannan, the leader of Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami Bangladesh, admitted his role in the attack after his arrest and called the bombing a success. [9]

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References

  1. Ahmed, Ekram (2012). "Udichi". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. (eds.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
  2. "Udichi's anniversary celebration across the country". The Daily Star.
  3. "Living Dangerously". Star Weekend Magazine. The Daily Star. Retrieved 19 September 2016.
  4. "Bangladesh blasts kill seven". news.bbc.co.uk. BBC News. Retrieved 19 September 2016.
  5. "142 killed in 535 bomb attacks during 1999-2005 - 27599.php-24-06". observerbd.com. Retrieved 19 September 2016.
  6. "Udichi observes Jessore tragedy day in city - New Age". newagebd.net. 7 March 2016. Retrieved 19 September 2016.
  7. "Bangladesh bomb kills nine". news.bbc.co.uk. BBC News. Retrieved 19 September 2016.
  8. "Ferocious HujiB now on the wane". dhakatribune.com. Dhaka Tribune. 21 August 2016. Retrieved 19 September 2016.
  9. "Same old story, same old drum | Dhaka Tribune". archive.dhakatribune.com. Archived from the original on 26 August 2016. Retrieved 6 August 2016.