A video has been circulating on various online platforms claiming that an explosion occurred in Bargharia, Chapainawabganj, while members of the local branch of Al-Qaeda, Ansar Al-Islam, were allegedly manufacturing improvised explosive devices (IEDs) intended for use in India. It is further alleged that domestic media outlets have been instructed not to report on the incident.
Fact-Check
An investigation by the Rumor Scanner team has revealed that no such explosion took place in Bargharia Bazar, Chapainawabganj Sadar Upazila, during the manufacturing of bombs by Ansar Al-Islam for use in India. Instead, the video being circulated is actually from an incident involving the detonation of crude bombs due to previous political enmity in the local area.
In this regard, an electronic media report from Channel 24, published on February 28, titled “Seven Crude Bomb Explosions in Chapainawabganj Due to Political Rivalry; Six Injured”, was found on its YouTube channel. The footage used in this report closely matches the video being circulated with misleading claims.
According to the report, a dispute had been ongoing between Abdur Rakib, the general secretary of the Sadar Upazila unit of Gono Odhikar Parishad, and Harunur Rashid, the chairman of Bargharia Union Parishad. As a result of this conflict, on the night of February 27, Rakib’s associates detonated seven crude bombs targeting Harunur Rashid and later physically assaulted him, fracturing his left leg. At least six individuals, including Harunur Rashid, were injured in the attack.
A report published in the online edition of the national daily Prothom Alo on February 28, titled “Six Injured, Including UP Chairman, in Crude Bomb Explosion in Chapainawabganj”, also corroborates these findings.
Therefore, the claim that an explosion occurred in Chapainawabganj while members of the militant group Ansar Al-Islam were manufacturing bombs for use in India is misleading. The actual incident was a series of crude bomb explosions resulting from local political rivalry, which has been falsely portrayed to spread misinformation.
Original News Source: https://rumorscanner.com/fact-check/claiming-blast-while-making-bomb-for-india-by-ansar-al-bangla-using-footage-of-different-incident/141320
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Sharing religious misinformation and disinformation can cause harm. Always verify before sharing.