A bomb blast in northeastern Bangladesh has killed two people and wounded dozens of others, including the British High Commissioner to Dhaka and the Deputy Commissioner of Sylhet.
Local police say the newly appointed Ambassador Anwar Choudhury -- a Briton of Bangladeshi origin -- and his bodyguard were participating in Friday noon prayers. They were at the Hazrat Shahjalal Muslim shrine in the city of Sylhet when the explosion occurred.
Police say several Bangladeshi government officials also were wounded in the explosion. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack.
The British government condemned the bombing. British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said he was deeply shocked by the news and extended his deepest sympathy to all the victims and their families.
It was the second blast at the ancient shrine this year. In January, an explosion believed to be caused by a bomb killed at least three people and wounded at least 30 others.
The British High Commissioner has been flown to Dhaka by a Bangladesh Airforce helicopter for better treatment. “His injury is not critical and he is also out of danger,” said the Foreign Office statement.