DHAKA, 30 November 2005 — Nine people were killed and 65 wounded in a series of suicide attacks in two Bangladesh cities yesterday. The explosions in the port city of Chittagong and in Gazipur town, just outside the capital, Dhaka, happened just before 9 a.m. and apparently targeted courthouses, police said.

The blasts appeared to be the latest by militants who want to impose Shariah law in the country. No one claimed responsibility, but police investigators pointed to outlawed militant group Jamatul Mujahedeen Bangladesh, blamed for similar attacks this year.

Police said three people, including two officers, were killed and 15 wounded by blasts at a checkpoint outside a court building in Chittagong. They said the third person who died was believed to be the bomber.

Another blast, in a court complex in Gazipur, 30 km north of Dhaka, killed six people and wounded nearly 50, police said. Local hospital sources said the wounded included lawyers.

Lawyers said the militants were apparently trying to scare legal professionals before courts began trials of hundreds of detained militants for suspected involvement in recent blasts.

“The bombers apparently turned more violent as we set up check posts trying to reinforce security at court premises,” said Majedul Huq, police commissioner in Chittagong.

He said the blasts were probably the work of suicide bombers, who had explosives strapped to their bodies or hidden in bags.

Bangladesh has been hit this year by a wave of bombings blamed on militants demanding Shariah law in the mainly Muslim democracy.

Hundreds of lawyers took to the streets of Dhaka, Chittagong and other cities, calling for government action to prevent further attacks.

They boycotted courts all over the country on Tuesday and also called for a national general strike tomorrow.

One of country’s most senior lawyers, Dr. Kamal Hossain said yesterday’s blasts were a “stark reminder that the suicide bombers wouldn’t rest until they achieve their mission.

“We reminded the government repeatedly of such threats but they seemed to take it lightly,” he said. “Now it is beyond doubt that they (Islamists) have pushed the country into grave danger,” Hossain told reporters yesterday.

Witnesses in Chittagong said the blasts tore flesh and limbs from the victims and sent body parts flying into trees.

At least 30 badly wounded people have been rushed to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital from Gazipur, doctors said.

Witnesses in Gazipur said a suspected suicide bomber walked into the court complex wearing a black robe that disguised him as a lawyer.

“In a few minutes, a big blast shook the whole complex sending lawyers and their clients screaming and running for their lives,” a witness told reporters.

“The government is fully determined to crush the militants at all costs and restore peace in the country,” said Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, a minister in charge of the Home Ministry.