IS claims responsibility

Militant activity watchdog SITE Intelligence Group has said that the Middle East based militant outfit Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility for the cocktail bomb attack on police in Dhaka, report agencies.

The attack took place at around 8:30pm on Monday in front of a shopping complex on the south side of Gulistan underpass.

Two traffic policemen and one Ansar member were injured in the blast.

"I know about the matter. It is being investigated whether the attack was carried out by the IS or not. Investigation is being carried out by keeping everything under consideration," said Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Shibli Noman, when asked about the matter.

SITE Intelligence had previously informed about IS's claim of responsibility of the 2016 terrorist attack on Holey Artisan Bakery in Gulshan.

The police have filed a case against some unidentified people in the Gulistan attack, said Noman.

Meanwhile another report adds, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) chief Asaduzzaman Mia said Tuesday the improvised bomb that exploded in Gulistan on Monday was different from normal crude bombs.

"The Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) and DMP's bomb disposal units are investigating the incident," he said after visiting injured policemen at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Members of CTTC and bomb disposal units have visited the place and collected evidence, he said.

Three men, including two traffic police constables, were injured after criminals hurled a cocktail on a police patrol in Gulistan on Monday evening. They are being treated at the DMCH and all three are out of danger.

Asaduzzaman said they are investigating whether the attack was linked to extremism.

"We've destroyed the militant network after the Holey Artisan attack," he said. "We're working to curb extremism."