Thursday, December 1 2005 15:43 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Dhaka: At least one person was killed and 30 others were injured today (Dec 1, 2005) in the second suicide attack in as many days by Islamic militants in Bangladesh, where a nationwide general strike by lawyers to protest the incidents left several activists injured in skirmishes, police and witnesses said.

Witnesses in nearby Gazipur district said the bomb, strapped to the left leg of a man aged about 22 years, went off as police checked those entering the district administrator's office, leaving some 30 injured.

One person succumbed to his injuries later at a hospital, a journalist at the scene told sources.

A leaflet was found from the injured suicide bomber which warned Government officials and journalists to come to the path of Allah and to beg for life from only Allah and not men.

The bomb exploded at about 11:42 am and the injured bomber was being treated in a hospital. Many of the injured, including policemen, lawyers and journalists, were rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Meanwhile, the death toll in Tuesday's (Nov 29, 2005) twin bomb attacks in Gazipur and Chittagong rose to 11 today when a suspected militant, who lost both his legs and an arm, succumbed to his injuries at the Chittagong Medical College Hospital.

The bombings Tuesday in the two districts also left more than 50 injured.

Also, several opposition activists were injured in clashes with police in Dhaka today during the nationwide one-day general strike called by Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) protesting the grisly bomb attacks by Islamic militants.

Police also arrested four activists, witnesses said.

This is the first ever political action by the SCBA, who are seeking an end to the attacks on Bangladesh's judicial system. Two judges were bombed to death last month by the militants seeking Islamic rule in Bangladesh.

Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed's opposition Awami League-led 14 party alliance and professional groups have backed the stoppage.

All modes of vehicles except rickshaws and few buses and motorcycles went off the streets and most of the shops and schools were closed.

Additional police have been deployed in the city for the action, but there were no reports of violence during the first hours of the shut down.