C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 003022

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/26/2015
TAGS: PHUM PREL BG BG
SUBJECT: AHMADIYA MOSQUES BOMBED


Classified By: A/DCM D.C. McCullough for reason para 1.5d


1. (SBU) On June 24, two persons were injured after several
crude "bombs" exploded at an Ahmadiya mosque in Brahmanbaria,
eastern Bangladesh, according to press reports and Ahmadiya
community contacts. Also that day, four bombs went off at an
Ahmadiya mosque in Bhadugarh in the Brahmanbaria area. On
June 22, an Ahmadiya mosque in Nator was set on fire. Police
have announced the arrest of eight persons in connection with
the attacks.


2. (SBU) Ahmad Tabshir, a member of the Ahmadiya Muslim
Jamaat National Executive Committee, told poloff that police
protection was adequate and active once police were notified
of the attacks. He noted that local leaders of the BDG and
the police visited the sites of the attacks and assured
Ahmadiyas protection.


3. (C) Comment: Foreign Minister Khan and Foreign Secretary
Hemayetuddin assured U/S Burns on June 26 that the BDG is
committed to protecting Ahmadiyas (septel). Hemayetuddin
described the attacks as a "purposeful move by a few to
ridicule and embarrass the government," and suggested the
last attack was timed to coincide with U/S Burns's arrival in
Bangladesh.
THOMAS