A crude bomb exploded on the Dhaka-Barisal highway near the office of the deputy inspector general (Barisal Range) of police in the Kashipur area of Barisal city on Wednesday afternoon.
Witnesses said activists of the Awami League, which faces a ban on its activities, brought out a sudden procession around 2:15pm, chanting "Joy Bangla" slogans.
They exploded a crude bomb near the DIG office before quickly fleeing the scene.
The sudden explosion triggered widespread panic among shopkeepers and residents of the area.
Tamim, a local shopkeeper, said over 50 people marched from the direction of Kashipur School and College and exploded a crude bomb on the highway near the DIG office.
Additional Deputy Commissioner of Barisal Metropolitan Police Md Anisur Rahman said police rushed to the spot after receiving the report of a loud noise.
"Evidence of an explosion was found on the road, and police are currently analysing CCTV footage of the area to trace the perpetrators,” he said.
