A rickshaw van puller was injured when a bomb hidden inside a parcel exploded in Kushtia’s Sadar upazila late Monday night.
Police said Nasir Sheikh, 50, was hurt in the blast around 10pm in the Lahini Bottola area. He was admitted to Kushtia General Hospital, where doctors said he received splinter injuries, but he is out of danger.
Witnesses said two unidentified men hired Nasir for Tk30 to deliver a parcel to the home of Hamidul Islam in Lahini Joardar Para. Hamidul refused to accept it, saying he had not ordered anything. The parcel was later opened near a fruit shop, revealing a wooden box that exploded instantly.
The blast damaged the shop’s refrigerator and spread panic in the area. Nasir said he did not know the men, who claimed to be drivers and said they were acquainted with Hamidul.
Hamidul told reporters he suspected two rivals with whom he had longstanding disputes may have orchestrated the attack.
Police recovered batteries and other materials from the scene. “Evidence has been collected and investigation is ongoing,” said Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime & Ops) Faisal Mahmud.
