Cities and towns across Bangladesh were rocked by dozens of near simultaneous bomb blasts Wednesday, injuring some 40 people and triggering widespread panic.
Officials say small bombs exploded at government buildings, courts and other key installations in at least 13 cities, including the capital, Dhaka, and the southern port city of Chittagong.
State Minister for Home Affairs M. Lutfuzzaman says the blasts appeared to be pre-planned and well organized.
Police say they have arrested at least six people.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blasts.
But police say they suspect the bombing were carried out by a banned Islamic group - Jamatul Mujahedin Bangladesh - whose leaflets were found at some of the blast sites. The leaflets called for the establishment of Islamic rule in Bangladesh, a predominantly Muslim country with a secular constitution.