Bangladesh pre-poll violence: 5 dead as Benapole Express train catches fire, several Indians believed to be on board

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Somoy news reported. According to Reuters, police suspected an arson attack during unrest ahead of national elections. "We suspect the fire incident was an act of sabotage," police chief Anwar Hossain told AFP, without giving more details.

ALSO READ: Bangladesh to scrap EVMs and conduct general polls with paper ballots The Benapole Express train was set on fire in the Golapbag area of Sayedabad on Friday night, the Business standard reported. The train was on its way to Dhaka from the western city of Jessore. According to the report, a young man died while trying to evacuate passengers from the fire-hit Benapole Express train.

ALSO READ: Opposition on the run as Bangladesh preps for elections, more than 10,000 arrested Fire service officer Rakjibul Hasan said at least four coaches caught fire on the Benapole Express. Witnesses said the train caught fire at Gopibagh, in an old part of Dhaka not far from the megacity's main rail terminal. "We have recovered five bodies," police commander Khandaker Al Moin was quoted by Reuters as saying.

ALSO READ: 2024 is the year of election extravaganza: Top 6 national polls that could shape global order Troops deployed across Bangladesh on Wednesday amid fears of violence ahead of a national election which the main opposition party is boycotting. Soldiers travelled in armoured vehicles to temporary camps set up across the capital Dhaka to help the civil administration maintain peace and security. According to DD News leaders of religious minority communities in Bangladesh had this week demanded effective security measures for minorities during the pre- and post-polling periods of the national election.