A homemade explosive device, locally known as a cocktail, was detonated at the house of Mohammad Ali, owner of Roman Jute Mill, in Nawapara village of Abhaynagar upazila, Jashore, early Friday night, February 20. The explosion occurred around 2 a.m., reportedly after Ali refused to pay extortion money demanded by a local criminal group. No casualties were reported as the house was unoccupied at the time.

Following the blast, members of the Abhaynagar army camp and local police visited the site. Mohammad Ali’s son, Rakibul Islam, said a known gang had been demanding money for some time and carried out the attack to intimidate the family. Ali’s nephew, Mohammad Sajib, described waking up to a loud noise and seeing smoke rising from the house. Police later recovered materials such as sticks and red tape from the scene.

Abhaynagar police inspector Zahidul Islam confirmed that evidence of a cocktail explosion was found and said an investigation is underway, with legal action in process.