Rail communication of Dhaka with Chittagong and Sylhet has been suspended on safety grounds after Hefazat-e-Islam leaders and activists attacked an intercity train.
At least 10 people were injured after members of the Islamist group hurled bricks on the Chittagong-bound intercity Sonar Bangla Express train in Brahmanbaria on Sunday morning, according to media reports.
Afterwards, the train services were temporarily suspended from 9:30am.
Akhaura railway police Officer-in-Charge Mazharul Karim said Sonar Bangla Express was taken to Bhairab railway junction later, reports The Business Standard.
Dhaka-bound intercity Upakul Express was also left stranded at Akhaura railway station at the time.
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Brahmanbaria Railway Station Master Shoeb Ahmed said the attack injured at least 10 passengers and damaged the engine room and 117 window glasses of 15 coaches of the train, reports The Daily Star.
They also set fire to a railway bridge between Ashuganj and Brahmanbaria, reports Prothom Alo.
Meanwhile, several trains remain stranded in different stations due to the suspension, causing sufferings to commuters.
On Friday, Hefazat called the daylong nationwide hartal for Sunday, protesting against the killing of its activists by police and the attack on them by ruling party supporters during demonstrations against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bangladesh.
During Sunday's strike, Hefazat leaders and activists turned violent in different parts of the country -- vandalising and torching vehicles in Dhaka and Rajshahi, and attacking government offices in Brahmanbaria.
