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At least five people were injured in an attack near a Durga Puja mandap at Tanti Bazar in the capital’s old town Friday evening.

The nature of the attack could not be determined as conflicting descriptions of the incident came from the police and members of the minority community.

Kotwali police officer-in charge Nasir Uddin, without describing the exact nature of the attack said that they saw knife injuries in several people who were victims of the attack.

‘We haven’t received any information or evidence suggesting petrol bombs were hurled at the mandap,’ he said.

No case was filed over the incident until filing of the report at 10:00pm.

Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council acting general secretary Monindra Kumar Nath said that the attackers hurled a blazing bottle filled with petrol at the mandap.

‘It, however, did not explode,’ said Monindra.

Three to four people were injured when the Hindu devotees tried to catch the attackers who stabbed them in attempt to flee the spot, he said.

‘The devotees caught three of the attackers,’ added Monindra, saying that it was an organised attack taken place at about 8:00pm.Ìý

Bangladesh Hindu Parishad general secretary Sumon Kumar Roy said that the attackers threw a patrol bomb targeting the face of the Durga idol at Udayman Surja Sangha temple in Tanti Bazar, but it did not explode.Ìý

The injured were taken to Sir Salimullah Medical College Mitford Hospital, a ward master of the hospital confirmed.

‘Injured are now taking treatment in the causality department,’ the ward master said.ÌýÌýÌý

Dhaka Metropolitan Police Lalbagh division deputy commissioner Jashim Uddin said that three people were detained over attacking the Puja mandap in Tanti Bazar.

‘No petrol bombs were thrown at the puja mandap. We primarily assume it’s a mugging incident. We are investigating the attack,’ the deputy commissioner told ¶¶Òõ¾«Æ·.

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