Petrol Bomb Hurled At Shakib Al Hasan’s House Hours After Sheikh Hasina Press Appearance

Dhaka: Former Bangladesh cricket captain and ex-Awami League MP Shakib Al Hasan's ancestral home in Bangladesh's Magura district was attacked with a petrol bomb on Wednesday night. While giving information on the attack, the police informed that some unknown people attacked the house of Shakib Al Hasan by petrol bombs and tried to burn down his house. 

Why did this attack happen?

This attack occurred around 9 pm on Wednesday. Officer-In-Charge of Magura Sadar Police Station MD Abdullah Al Mamun gave information about the attack. This must be noted that the attack has happened just a few hours after he virtually attended and interacted with former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Foreign Correspondents' Club in Delhi. The event has been organized two years after Sheikh Hasina ousted from power in her country. It was two years ago, when Sheikh Hasina left her country for India on August 5.

Who was the attacker?

As per reports, the attackers of Shakib’s residence who used petrol bombs on his residence attacked initially with bricks and stones to break the glass of windows. Then, the attempt was made to burn down his house. A police officer told that there is no information yet regarding the identity of the attackers and their motive behind the attack. Following the incident, police have been deployed at Shakib's home and in the surrounding area.

Did Bangladesh Awami League target BNP?

The Bangladesh Awami League has attacked the Bangladesh Nationalist Party over this incident. The party's X account posted a video of the attack on Shakib's home. The caption accompanying the video reads, "This is the price you pay for attending an Awami League press conference. Neo-fascism engulfs Bangladesh."

The post further states that a horrific petrol bomb attack occurred at the home of Bangladesh's renowned cricket icon, Shakib Al Hasan, just hours after the world-famous star cricketer attended a press conference with the party's President, Sheikh Hasina. Prior to the press conference, the BNP, Islamist Jamaat, and NCP all openly threatened national media outlets, threatening to use force to sue the judiciary over their reporting of the press conference.

What happen during the address?

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina addressed her first press conference in two years on Wednesday via video link from New Delhi. During the press conference, she said that for the past two years, she has witnessed her beloved Bangladesh plunge into pain, fear, and turmoil. She became emotional as she described the current state of her country, and her eyes welled up with tears as she remembered her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and other family members who were killed in 1975.