Bangladesh unrest: Pedestrian killed after crude bomb thrown from Dhaka flyover

Crude bomb kills pedestrian in Dhaka

Amid ongoing violence and arson in Bangladesh, a pedestrian was killed on the spot after being struck by a crude bomb hurled from a flyover in Dhaka on Wednesday.

According to Bangladeshi media reports, the incident occurred at around 7 pm (local time) in the Moghbazar area. Unidentified attackers allegedly threw a crude bomb from the Moghbazar flyover onto the road below.

The explosive hit the head of the victim, identified as 21-year-old Saiful, who was drinking tea at a roadside stall at the time.

Confirming the incident, Inspector (Operations) of Hatirjheel Police Station Md Mohiuddin told The Daily Star, “Saiful was having tea at a roadside stall when a crude bomb, hurled from the flyover above, struck him.”

Saiful suffered critical head injuries, began bleeding profusely and died at the scene.

Tea-stall owner Faruk recounted the incident to Jago News, saying Saiful had come to his stall for a cup of tea. “I was preparing to wash cups. At that time, there was a sudden bang. Then I saw that Saiful had fallen to the ground. Blood was coming out of his head. The brains were scattered all around,” he told the outlet.

Police cordoned off the area following the blast and launched an investigation to identify those responsible and establish the motive behind the attack.

The killing comes as Bangladesh continues to grapple with unrest following the death of July uprising organiser Sharif Osman Hadi in Singapore. Hadi, the convener of Inquilab Mancha, died while receiving treatment after being shot in the head in Dhaka on December 12.

During the unrest, media houses, cultural centres and political offices have been attacked. A Hindu man, Dipu Chandra Das, was lynched and burnt to death in Mymensingh over alleged blasphemy. His killing drew strong condemnation in India, with protests held outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi.

Bangladesh’s authorities have faced criticism from minority rights advocates and international observers over their handling of the violence. Critics say rising religious tensions and mob attacks reflect deeper social divisions, while Dhaka’s leadership has described some claims of targeted communal violence as misleading, even as protests and tensions persist.