Bangladesh: Terror attacks from new Al-Qaeda group raise questions

A series of bombs went off at Dhaka, Sylhet and Chittagong railway stations Tuesday morning from 6:45 AM to 9:30 AM (BDNews24). Only one person was injured in the attack but it created panic in the country. Bangladeshi bloggers are covering this extensively.

Jadid Al-Qaeda, an unknown group believed to be linked to Osama bin Laden’s Al-Qaeda network has claimed the responsibility with Aluminum plates inscribed with militant slogans found in a crime scene. Journalist Ahmede Hussain has pictures and roundups in his blog Black and Grey. More blogger round ups can be found in “The 3rd world view“, International media reactions in “My dear Bangladesh“.

Shadakalo explains:

Jadid means “New.” The last prominent group of “Jadids” existed in the late 1880 in the Russian empire and were known as reformers. Whatever these Jadids are, they are singing the old song of death to NGOs and Quadianis slogans. Large flat metal disks carried these warnings in Bangla: “If Hazrat Mohammad is not declared the superman of the world by May 10, all non-governmental organizations will be blown up.”

Rajputro on why they have picked the May Day for the attack:

Many Bangladeshis were traveling out of Dhaka taking advantage of a two-day public holiday for May Day and a Buddhist religious festival on Wednesday.

However there was only one injury and no casualty. It seems the aim of militants was to make a statement rather than killing a lot of people.

Shadakalo raises some questions:

1) The plates were signed in English –“The Al-Qaeda Network”. Why just this bit in English? Someone specifically trying to draw the attention of the foreign press?

2) Did someone think its time to scare the country a bit and pave the path towards martial law?

Drishtipat Blog reports that the news came very slowly to Bangladeshis because this was a holiday, and people were not checking the news. The Blog asks some pertinent questions:

What Kind of terrorist unit inscribes message on aluminum plate? Did they do it at home, or in a shop? If in a shop, isn’t there high chance of discovery? My theory, once again Bangladesh being used as a chess board for puppet masters. Who benefits?

Dhaka blog has chronological updates and warns:

Before we blame “foreign interests”, it's much more productive to look ourselves in the mirror and ask: what are we doing wrong? These blasts are at best gimmicks. A sort of publicity stunt for a very dangerous message.

Expat Blogger Gabrielle comments:

Unfortunately these kind of incidents are not that uncommon in this part of the world and life moves on as usual.

‘My thoughts and Ideas’ asserts:

The Caretaker Government of Bangladesh cannot afford to ignore this alarming and most serious crisis. They must take concrete actions against the militancy. We need a “Zero Tolerance- No Excuse Policy” against militancy.

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