In the latest wave of violence targeting the minority Hindu community in Bangladesh, a terrifying attack unfolded at a Durga Puja mandap in the Tanti Bazar neighborhood of Dhaka city. The incident marks yet another heartbreaking moment in the ongoing Islamist aggression that has plagued the Hindu population in the country.

Eyewitness accounts and visuals shared widely on social media captured the shocking moment when a man, without hesitation, hurled a petrol bomb towards the Durga Puja pandal. The man was seen calmly standing in line among the devotees, only to suddenly throw the explosive device directly at the idol of the Hindu goddess, sending the crowd into panic. "A man was seen attacking the Durga Puja pandal with a bomb," is the chilling description that has echoed across various platforms.

Thankfully, despite the chaos caused by the bomb, no immediate injuries were reported from the explosion itself. "A minor fire broke out at the pandal, but no one was injured," reports indicated. The explosion did not cause a large-scale fire, but the situation escalated rapidly as brave devotees stepped in to stop the attacker.

However, the attacker, armed with a knife, responded with brutal violence. As members of the Hindu community rushed to prevent further damage, he turned on them, stabbing those who tried to intervene. "The Hindu devotees present at the scene tried to stop the attacker but he stabbed them," resulting in five people being wounded in the violent altercation.

Among the injured were four volunteers and one visitor to the mandap: "Deepta Dey (26), Jhantu Dhar (50), Khokon Dhar (40), Sagar Ghosh (26) and Md. Ramiz Uddin (30)". These victims, who were simply there to participate in the religious celebration, are currently undergoing treatment at Sir Salimullah Medical College Mitford Hospital. While the injuries they sustained are severe, officials have reassured the public that their conditions are stable. "The SI of Kotwali police station said that everyone is safe," provided some comfort, but the trauma inflicted by the attack will undoubtedly linger.

Following the horrific attack, local authorities moved swiftly to detain those responsible. Three individuals have been arrested in connection with the attack: Mohammed of Patuakhali, Hriday (23), Noakhali Mohammed (19), and Akash (23) of Gaibandha. These men, who participated in the brutal assault, are currently in the custody of the Kotwali police station. "They are in the custody of Kotwali police station," confirms the latest police report.

The terrifying incident at the Durga Puja mandap in Dhaka’s Tanti Bazar did not end with the initial attack. The pandal, situated next to the main road at the busy Tantibazar intersection, was filled with worshippers even late at night. "Going there around 10 o'clock at night, it is seen that many people have come to the worship hall. Police and RAB members are present," reported eyewitnesses, reflecting the heavy security presence around the site.

Despite the presence of law enforcement, the attack unfolded quickly. According to local witnesses, a young man managed to throw a petrol bomb into the midst of the gathering. "A young man threw a petrol bomb," one local confirmed. Though the explosive failed to detonate fully, the fire it ignited sent the crowd into a frenzy. "It caught fire but did not explode," adding to the confusion and panic. In the ensuing chaos, people scrambled to safety. "Panic spread among the people in this incident. Everyone started running around," captured the sheer terror experienced by those present.

In the aftermath, the police swiftly recovered the explosive device that had been used in the targeted attack on the mandap. Their prompt action led to the identification and subsequent arrest of two key individuals involved in the assault. "The police have recovered the explosive, which was used in the targeted attack," ensuring no further harm would come from it. The two accused who were apprehended were identified as "Mohammed Hridoy and Mohammed Jibon", both of whom are now under police custody.

As law enforcement authorities interrogate the suspects, more details about the attack have emerged. In a shocking twist, the attackers were not just aiming to disrupt the religious event with violence but were also attempting to rob the devotees. "A separate robbery attempt was made at the Puja Mandap," police sources confirmed. One of the attackers, identified as Akash, had been caught with a stolen gold chain during the incident. "The police have recovered a gold chain from the accused, identified as one Akash," highlighting the criminal intent behind the violence.

The Durga Puja mandap, a sacred place for worship, was guarded by both law enforcement officers and volunteers from the Puja Udyapan Committee. Despite their efforts, the attackers managed to inflict harm before they were stopped. Jai Shah, a volunteer present at the scene, recounted how some of the attackers attempted to flee the site while still armed with petrol bombs. "One of them, Jai Shah, said that while the attackers were fleeing with petrol bombs, some volunteers caught the attackers," showing the bravery of those who risked their lives to protect others. However, the attackers, in their desperate bid to escape, retaliated by stabbing the volunteers. "Then the attackers tried to escape by stabbing them," resulting in further injuries to four volunteers and one visitor.

In the aftermath of the violent attack at the Durga Puja mandap in Tanti Bazar, investigators have been reviewing critical footage from the CCTV cameras that monitor the entire area. The recorded video shows the chilling moments leading up to the attack. "In a footage from there, three youths gathered in a lane next to the pujamandap and were discussing among themselves," before eventually approaching the shrine to carry out their assault. The footage offers a clear timeline of events, showing how the attackers plotted their move before striking. "After some time they came near the shrine and attacked," marking the start of the violent episode that left several people injured and the community in shock.

In light of the attack, the Tantibazar Puja Celebration Committee has been vocal about the events that transpired. General Secretary of the committee, Bijoy Shah, confirmed the details surrounding the incident and provided important clarification. "Tantibazar Puja Celebration Committee General Secretary, Bijoy Shah, confirmed the development and clarified the petrol bomb attack at the Durga Puja mandap and robbery were separate incidents," making it clear that the attack on the mandap and the robbery attempt were distinct actions. His statement helps draw a clear line between the criminal intentions behind the robbery and the targeted violence against the Hindu devotees.

Now, the Durga Puja pandal in Tanti Bazar remains under heavy guard. Both Hindu devotees and law enforcement officers have joined forces to ensure the security of the site following the attack. "The Durga Puja pandal in Tanti Bazar is now being guarded by Hindu devotees and law enforcement authorities," reports indicated, as the community takes steps to protect themselves and prevent further incidents. The Puja committee, deeply concerned by the severity of the attack, is calling for firm action against those responsible. "The Puja committee has demanded strong action against the accused," urging the authorities to ensure that justice is served swiftly and decisively.

However, tensions between the Puja committee and law enforcement have surfaced, as the committee has accused the police of minimizing the gravity of the petrol bomb attack by grouping it together with the robbery. "It has accused the police of downplaying the petrol bomb attack by equating it with the robbery incident," reflecting the committee’s frustration with how the incident is being handled. The attack on the religious gathering was a deliberate act of violence, and the committee feels that it should not be treated as merely part of a criminal robbery.

The three individuals arrested in connection with the attack hail from different regions of Bangladesh, which has raised further questions about their motivations and possible affiliations. "The three accused are from different parts of Bangladesh," and the authorities are still working to determine if these men acted independently or were part of a larger, more organized network. "It remains unknown whether the trio was recruited by any secret organisation," and investigations continue as the community waits for answers and justice.

Following the brutal attack at the Durga Puja mandap in Tanti Bazar, Dhaka, senior police officials visited the scene, but there seems to be an attempt to downplay the gravity of the situation. Additional Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DB) Rezaul Karim Mallik arrived shortly after the attack, yet his statements to the media have raised concerns within the Hindu community. "Additional Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DB) Rezaul Karim Mallik came to the scene after the attack on the Pujamandap," but instead of addressing the targeted violence, he shifted focus towards a robbery.

Speaking to reporters, Mallik downplayed the attack, stating that it occurred due to a robbery attempt. "Later, he told reporters that this incident happened due to robbery," which has drawn criticism for diverting attention from the petrol bomb attack. While three suspects were indeed arrested, the portrayal of the event as primarily a robbery undermines the seriousness of the assault on the religious site. "Three people were arrested from the spot," but this framing of the incident has left the community dissatisfied with how it is being handled by the authorities.

Jasim Uddin, Deputy Commissioner of Lalbagh Division of Police, provided further details on the robbery, confirming that stolen gold jewelry had been recovered from one of the attackers. "Jasim Uddin, Deputy Commissioner of Lalbagh Division of Police, said that a gold ornament was recovered from one of the arrested persons," adding to the narrative that robbery was the main motive. However, this line of explanation seems to overshadow the fact that the attackers used a petrol bomb in a clear act of religious violence.

The Tantibazar Puja Celebration Committee has strongly rejected the police’s attempt to equate the petrol bomb attack with the robbery. General Secretary Vijay Shah has been firm in his statement that the two incidents are distinct, emphasizing that the attack on the mandap was an intentional act of religious vandalism. "Tantibazar Puja Celebration Committee General Secretary Vijay Shah told Prothom Alo that petrol bomb attack and robbery are two separate incidents," he clarified, urging the authorities to treat the petrol bomb attack as a serious case of targeted violence.

Shah further confirmed that the petrol bomb was specifically aimed at damaging the shrine, not as part of any robbery. "A petrol bomb was used to vandalize the shrine," he reiterated, making it clear that the attack was not merely a criminal theft but an assault on a religious gathering. The community fears that downplaying the incident as a robbery diminishes the significance of the targeted violence faced by the Hindu minority.

The Hindu community is now demanding that the police recognize the petrol bomb attack for what it truly is—an act of religious violence—and not allow it to be overshadowed by unrelated criminal elements. They call for a thorough investigation and firm action against those responsible for this heinous act.