SENIOR AWAMI LEAGUE LAWMAKER ESCAPES APPARENT BOMB

C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 000997 SIPDIS DEPT FOR DS/IP/NEA-SCA, DS/TIA, DS/TIA/ITA, DS/TIA/CC, DS/TIA/PII, SC E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/21/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV BG SUBJECT: SENIOR AWAMI LEAGUE LAWMAKER ESCAPES APPARENT BOMB ATTACK IN BANGLADESH REF: DHAKA-S/ES-O E-MAILS Classified By: CDA Nicholas Dean. Reasons: 1.4 (B) and (D) ¶1. (C) Fazle Noor Taposh, Awami League Member of Parliament and nephew of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, escaped unharmed after an apparent bomb attack in front of his offices in Dhaka on the evening of Wednesday, October 14 . Initial reports indicated that thirteen others were hospitalized for various injuries. According to media reports, the explosion occurred behind the vehicle as it was being started and while Taposh getting inside - damaging both the front and back windshields. Members of the Rapid Action Battalion and other law enforcement agencies secured the area and are conducting an investigation. The authorities have yet to indicate a motive for the attack or speculate on who might be responsible. ¶2. (C) According to police sources, including the DS/ATA-trained Explosives Incident Countermeasures (EIC) Team assigned to Detective Branch of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police and the Inspector General of Police, the explosion was likely caused by a crude homemade incendiary device. Post has thus far been unable to verify this claim. ¶3. (C) The situation in the capital remains calm, though ruling party activists plan demonstrations on Thursday to protest the attack. The Embassy has issued a security notice and a warden message about the attack and the planned demonstrations and cautioned against travel to all universities in Bangladesh. Post will continue to follow all developments closely. ¶4. (C) Comment: Not only is Taposh a close relative of Prime Minister Hasina, he is also one of the government,s attorneys in the case against the alleged killers of President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Taposh,s father Sheikh Moni. We do not know where the investigation will lead, but it is likely that AL activists will claim this attack was motivated by Taposh,s role in the case against the alleged killers. Taposh was also named in the inquiry related to February 2009 Bangladesh Rifles mutiny, leading some to suspect a possible link to Wednesday,s attack. Awami League leaders have been the victims of political violence throughout the party,s time in opposition. This attack will likely raise concerns about future threats to the safety of party leaders and members of Hasina,s extended family. End Comment. DEAN