The death toll from a bomb explosion in Zajira upazila of Shariatpur has risen to two after Md Nabin Hossain, 22, succumbed to injuries while undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). 

Another injured, Arman Nayan Molla, 25, remains in critical condition.

The explosion occurred early Thursday morning inside a tin-shed house in Beparikandi village of Bilashpur Union, destroying the dwelling and blowing away its roof. 

Police later recovered bomb-making materials from the site.

Md Faruk, in-charge of the DMCH police camp, confirmed Nabin’s death around 4:30 pm. 

Nabin worked as a mechanic and sustained severe injuries to his face and hands.

His body has been kept at the morgue. 

In the same explosion, the mutilated body of Sohan Bepari, 32, was recovered from a crop field about half a kilometre away from the explosion site. 

Police are investigating how his body ended up there.

Saleh Ahmed, Officer-in-Charge of Zajira Police Station, said, “Primarily, we believe the explosion occurred while bombs were being made.” He added that police are probing the circumstances surrounding the deaths and injuries.

The incident follows violent clashes on January 4 at Budhairhat Bazar, where rival groups detonated more than 100 cocktail bombs in a dispute over local dominance. 

Police recovered four buckets of abandoned bombs during a subsequent drive.

Locals said the tin-shed house where Thursday’s explosion occurred had been built two months ago by Sagar Bepari.

Additional Superintendent of Police Tarvir Hossain, who visited the scene, said bloodstains were found on the road and evidence suggested cocktail bombs were being prepared as part of ongoing rivalry between supporters of UP Chairman Kuddus Bepari and rival leader Jalil Madbar. 

Police sources confirmed that clashes between the two factions have been recurring, with both sides resorting to bomb attacks. 

Previous explosions in Bilashpur on April 5 and November 2 last year prompted cases under the Explosives Act against both leaders and their supporters. While Kuddus Bepari was later released on bail, Jalil Madbar remains in jail.

Locals said the deceased Sohan Bepari was a supporter of Kuddus Bepari. Currently, supporters of Kuddus led by Mannan Bepari and followers of Jalil led by Nasir Bepari are vying for dominance in the area.