Source: Focus Bangla

A policeman undergoes treatment at Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital after he sustained splinter injuries in a crude bomb explosion at Rajshahi University campus Thursday morning. At least six people including four female students and the policeman were injured when a bomb, kept in an abandoned bag, exploded at a security checkpoint on the university campus.

Six people including two female varsity students and as many female admission seekers were injured when a youth -- posing as admission seeker -- blasted a bomb at a security checkpoint on Rajshahi University (RU) campus today.

The explosion occurred at the university’s Binodpur entrance checkpoint at 9:50am, shortly after beginning of the five-day honours first year admission tests of 2013-14 academic session, RU proctor Prof Tariqul Hasan told The Daily Star.

Local shopowners and traders, who witnessed the incident, suspect the youth -- who was yet to be captured or identified -- might be an activist of Islami Chhatra Shibir.

Mojibur Rahman, an injured constable of Rajshahi City Special Branch (SB) who was admitted to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital with splinters and burn injuries in both of his legs and right hand, said two youths with backpacks introduced themselves as admission seekers at the checkpoint.

“While checking one of the youths' bag, the metal detector started beeping. As I opened it, I found a bomb-like object wrapped in a lungi”, Mojibur told The Daily Star.

The youth grabbed the bad and dropped it on the ground in a flash of an eye.

"I saw the youth running away before I could alert my fellow policemen," he said.

Jannatul Ferdous Tania, a second year sociology student; Fahima Anik, second year student of geography and environmental science, of the university; arts faculty admission seekers Mosammat Reshmi, of Shingra in Natore; and Mushfika Rahman of Sundorganj, Gaibandha received injuries from splinters.

RU security guard Nazrul Islam also received injuries from splinters. None of their injuries were serious and they took treatment at RU Medical Centre.

“That was a locally made crude bomb in the bag”, said Proloy Chichim, deputy commissioner (East) of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police.

As the blast sent panic, especially among the admission seekers and their guardians, the authorities beefed up security.

"The youth might have planned subversive activity inside the campus," said the RU proctor.

Talking to The Daily Star, RU Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof Chowdhury Sarwar Jahan said: "It might be a part of ongoing violence across the country."

Total, 1,68,224 admission seekers are likely to take part in the tests for 3601 seats under 49 departments under eight faculties.