Khaleda Zia charged with instigating bomb attacks

Bangladesh's main opposition party leader Khaleda Zia has been charged with instigating bomb attacks on a march led by Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan in Dhaka, media reported Tuesday.

At least 11 people were injured Monday, when six to seven handmade bombs were detonated at a protest march towards the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chief's office, bdnews24.com reported.

The minister, leader of pro-government transport workers, led the parade demanding withdrawal of the BNP-sponsored blockade and shutdowns.

Road Transport Owners and Workers' Unity Council leader Ismail Hossain filed the case with Gulshan police Monday night accusing 14 BNP leaders of instigating the attacks.

Assistant Police Commissioner (Gulshan Zone) Nurul Alam said the complainant accused Khaleda and others of attack, attempt to murder, terrorism and bomb explosions.

Other BNP leaders among the accused are BNP vice chairperson Selima Rahman and Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, Khaleda's advisor Khandaker Mahbub Hossain, joint secretary general Salahuddin Ahmed, chairperson's press secretary Maruf Kamal Khan, former Member of Parliament P Dewan Salahuddin, BNP women's front leader Shirin Sultana and former Dhaka City Corporation commissioner Abdul Kaiyum.