A crude explosive device was detonated outside the home of Moktar Ali, a Jamaat-e-Islami candidate for the Jashore-6 (Keshabpur) parliamentary constituency, in the early hours of Sunday night, heightening concerns over security in the run-up to the polls.
According to party officials, the incident occurred at approximately 1:10 a.m., when two locally made “cocktail” bombs were hurled at the candidate’s private residence in Keshabpur town. Although no casualties were reported, the explosions caused alarm among residents and prompted renewed debate about the safety of candidates and voters during the election period.
On Monday morning, Saidur Rahman, chief election agent for Mr Ali and a senior local Jamaat figure, addressed a press conference at the party’s municipal office on Paurashava Road. Reading from a prepared statement, he described the attack as “a manifestation of deteriorating law and order” and suggested that it was intended to intimidate voters and undermine a popular candidate backed by an 11-party electoral alliance.
However, Mr Rahman stopped short of accusing any specific political party or individual. “We are not naming anyone at this stage,” he told journalists. “We believe that the law enforcement agencies will identify those responsible through proper investigation and questioning.”
Key Details of the Incident
| Aspect | Information |
|---|---|
| Constituency | Jashore-6 (Keshabpur) |
| Candidate | Moktar Ali (Jamaat-e-Islami) |
| Date & Time | Sunday night, approx. 1:10 a.m. |
| Nature of Incident | Two crude cocktail bombs thrown |
| Casualties | None reported |
| Investigation Status | Ongoing |
During the press conference, party representatives placed four demands before the administration and law enforcement agencies:
Immediate identification and arrest of those involved in the attack.
A transparent and impartial investigation to uncover those behind the incident.
Visible and effective security measures to ensure the safety of candidates, voters and residents during the election period.
Firm action against any attempt to intimidate voters or disrupt the electoral environment.
Later in the day, crowds gathered outside Mr Ali’s residence on Baisa Road in Keshabpur town. His son, Murshidul Maruf, said family members rushed outside after hearing the explosions but saw no suspects in the vicinity. “It happened very quickly. By the time we came out, whoever did it had already fled,” he said.
Mr Ali himself stated that he immediately telephoned the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Keshabpur Police Station following the blasts. Police officers subsequently arrived at the scene and collected evidence. The candidate has formally requested round-the-clock security at his residence to prevent further incidents.
OC Shukdeb Roy confirmed that officers recovered fragments of a tobacco tin and adhesive tape from the site, materials commonly associated with improvised explosive devices of this kind. He added that an investigation is under way and that appropriate legal steps will be taken once suspects are identified.
Reksona Khatun, Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Assistant Returning Officer for Keshabpur, said she had been informed of the incident and that law enforcement personnel were actively working to maintain order. She emphasised that ensuring a peaceful and secure electoral process remains the administration’s priority.
As election campaigning intensifies, the episode underscores the fragility of local political stability and the pressing need for vigilance to safeguard democratic participation in the constituency.