Bomb blast wounds UK envoy

A bomb exploded at a Muslim shrine in north-eastern Bangladesh today, killing two people, and wounded 100 more, police and witnesses said.

No-one claimed responsibility for the blast, which occurred during noon prayers at the Hazrat Shahjalal shrine in Sylhet, 192km north-east of the capital Dhaka, a police official said on condition of anonymity. There have not been any arrests.

Two Bangladeshi men were killed and about 100 people injured, including senior government officials, police and media reports said.

Prime Minister Zia expressed “deep shock at the blast” and conveyed “sympathy to the British envoy and other injured people,” her office said. She ordered police to arrest those responsible for the violence and bring them to justice.

In January, a bomb killed five worshippers at the shrine. Police had no suspects despite questioning more than 20 people detained after the blast.