Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07DHAKA716
2007-05-02 08:55:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Dhaka
Cable title:
BOMBLETS EXPLODE IN THREE BANGLADESH CITIES
how-toVZCZCXRO3047 PP RUEHCI DE RUEHKA #0716 1220855 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 020855Z MAY 07 FM AMEMBASSY DHAKA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3950 INFO RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO 7904 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 9868 RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 9065 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 1627 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1691 RUEHCI/AMCONSUL CALCUTTA RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 000716
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
TERREP
DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/NEA-SCA, DS/IP/ITA, DSERCC
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/02/2017
TAGS: PTER KDEM PHUM ASEC PGOV BG
SUBJECT: BOMBLETS EXPLODE IN THREE BANGLADESH CITIES
REF: A. TD-314/34180-07
B. TD-314/34447-07
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Geeta Pasi; Reason 1.4(d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 000716
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
TERREP
DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/NEA-SCA, DS/IP/ITA, DSERCC
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/02/2017
TAGS: PTER KDEM PHUM ASEC PGOV BG
SUBJECT: BOMBLETS EXPLODE IN THREE BANGLADESH CITIES
REF: A. TD-314/34180-07
B. TD-314/34447-07
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Geeta Pasi; Reason 1.4(d)
1. (SBU) On the morning of May 1, three small devices
exploded within minutes of each other near railroad stations
in the cities of Sylhet, Chittagong, and Dhaka. Police told
us that one rickshaw driver was seriously injured in
Chittagong and a small boy sustained minor injuries in
Sylhet.
2. (C) Police said they found a metal plate attached to the
Dhaka bomb which said that the Ahmadiya sect of Islam should
accept the Prophet Mohammed as the last prophet, and all NGOs
supporting them should stop their activities by May 10. It
was signed "Zadid Al Aqaeda" or "the new Al-Qaeda." Police
told us they found paper leaflets at the other sites with a
similar message but with a possible different group, "Hal
Khata," claiming responsibility.
3. (SBU) Several local NGOs, Nijera Kori, ASK, Odikhar, and
the Bangladesh National Women Lawyers Association (BNWLA),
focus on monitoring the Ahmadiyas from the human rights
perspective conducting investigations on attacks on Ahmadiya
and arranging press briefings to call for government action
to protect the rights of this religion minority. The NGOs
told us they are concerned about the explosions but threats
are not new to them.
4. (C) The Inspector General of Police told us that he
instructed his forces to be vigilant for possible attacks
against major NGOs like BRAC, PROSHIKA, and GRAMEEN. In
February 2005, small explosive devices, later attributed to
Jamaat-ul Mujahedin Bangladesh (JMB),exploded at BRAC and
GRAMEEN offices. These attacks presaged later and deadlier
JMB attacks in the fall of 2005.
5. (C) Ahmadiya representative Ahmad Tabshir Choudhury told
us that, while aware of the press reports that the explosions
contained warnings for them, the Ahmadiyas are not sure they
are the real target of the explosions. While we are
concerned about our safety, Choudhury said, "We urge the
government to find the perpetrators. Bombs kill everyone, not
just Ahmadiyas."
6. (C) Comment: Reftels report liaison assessment of the
blasts. JMB threats of reprisals when six major senior
leaders were executed on March 29, failed to materialize,
perhaps because of the continuing arrests of JMB activists
since December. The perpetrators and actual motives of the
May 1 blasts are unclear, but we are encouraged that the GOB
appears to be taking the matter seriously.
BUTENIS
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
TERREP
DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/NEA-SCA, DS/IP/ITA, DSERCC
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/02/2017
TAGS: PTER KDEM PHUM ASEC PGOV BG
SUBJECT: BOMBLETS EXPLODE IN THREE BANGLADESH CITIES
REF: A. TD-314/34180-07
B. TD-314/34447-07
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Geeta Pasi; Reason 1.4(d)
1. (SBU) On the morning of May 1, three small devices
exploded within minutes of each other near railroad stations
in the cities of Sylhet, Chittagong, and Dhaka. Police told
us that one rickshaw driver was seriously injured in
Chittagong and a small boy sustained minor injuries in
Sylhet.
2. (C) Police said they found a metal plate attached to the
Dhaka bomb which said that the Ahmadiya sect of Islam should
accept the Prophet Mohammed as the last prophet, and all NGOs
supporting them should stop their activities by May 10. It
was signed "Zadid Al Aqaeda" or "the new Al-Qaeda." Police
told us they found paper leaflets at the other sites with a
similar message but with a possible different group, "Hal
Khata," claiming responsibility.
3. (SBU) Several local NGOs, Nijera Kori, ASK, Odikhar, and
the Bangladesh National Women Lawyers Association (BNWLA),
focus on monitoring the Ahmadiyas from the human rights
perspective conducting investigations on attacks on Ahmadiya
and arranging press briefings to call for government action
to protect the rights of this religion minority. The NGOs
told us they are concerned about the explosions but threats
are not new to them.
4. (C) The Inspector General of Police told us that he
instructed his forces to be vigilant for possible attacks
against major NGOs like BRAC, PROSHIKA, and GRAMEEN. In
February 2005, small explosive devices, later attributed to
Jamaat-ul Mujahedin Bangladesh (JMB),exploded at BRAC and
GRAMEEN offices. These attacks presaged later and deadlier
JMB attacks in the fall of 2005.
5. (C) Ahmadiya representative Ahmad Tabshir Choudhury told
us that, while aware of the press reports that the explosions
contained warnings for them, the Ahmadiyas are not sure they
are the real target of the explosions. While we are
concerned about our safety, Choudhury said, "We urge the
government to find the perpetrators. Bombs kill everyone, not
just Ahmadiyas."
6. (C) Comment: Reftels report liaison assessment of the
blasts. JMB threats of reprisals when six major senior
leaders were executed on March 29, failed to materialize,
perhaps because of the continuing arrests of JMB activists
since December. The perpetrators and actual motives of the
May 1 blasts are unclear, but we are encouraged that the GOB
appears to be taking the matter seriously.
BUTENIS