2005 Bangladesh series bombings


On 17 August 2005, around 500 bomb explosions occurred at 300 locations in 63 out of the 64 districts of Bangladesh. The bombs exploded within a half-hour period starting from 11:30 am. An Islamist terrorist organization, Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh claimed responsibility for the bombings. The group, led by Shaykh Abdur Rahman and Siddiqur Rahman, is alleged to be affiliated with Al Qaeda, although this has not been proven. Another Islamic terrorist group, named Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami, was associated with JMB in executing the co-ordinated attack. Following the bombings, both groups were banned by the Government of Bangladesh.

Attacks

The bomb exploded near Government facilities. In Dhaka, they exploded near Bangladesh Secretariat, the Supreme Court Complex, the Prime Minister's Office, the Dhaka University campus, the Dhaka Sheraton Hotel and Zia International Airport. At least 115 people injured. 500 small bombs were exploded in 62 out of 63 districts of Bangladesh. The explosion killed two people, and injured a further 50.

Victims

The main perpetrators of the bombing, Bangla Bhai and Shaykh Abdur Rahman, were captured by the Rapid Action Battalion in early March 2006. They were convicted of murder and terrorism charges, along with four other militants, and were executed by hanging on 30 March 2007. 5 suspects were sentenced to death and one to 20 years in prison for their part in the bomb attacks in Bogra. By 2013, 200 cases out of 273 cases filed in connection with 2005 Bangladesh bombings have been disposed of. Different courts have sentenced 58 people to death and 150 were sentenced to life in prison and 300 others were sentenced to various terms in prisons.

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