The historic church, founded by Portuguese missionaries in 1677, was targeted by unidentified assailants who hurled crude bombs at its gate.
Newsroom (09/10/2025, Gaudium Press ) A sudden explosion rocked the square in front of Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Dhaka’s Tejgaon neighborhood late on Wednesday evening, October 8, 2025, causing panic among residents and heightening security concerns just days before the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, a major celebration for Bangladesh’s largest Catholic parish. The historic church, founded by Portuguese missionaries in 1677, was targeted by unidentified assailants who hurled crude bombs, commonly known as Molotov cocktails, at its gate.
The incident occurred around 10 p.m., when a loud bang followed by a thick cloud of white smoke enveloped the church gate, rattling the surrounding area. Faruk Mia, a Muslim security guard at the church, told journalists he saw four people on two motorcycles fleeing the scene after the blast. Another resident, who requested anonymity, reported running outside after hearing the explosion and seeing smoke rising near the church. “Security personnel told me they saw two people throwing homemade bombs before escaping,” the resident said.
Mobarak Hossain, officer in charge of Tejgaon police station, confirmed the attack to the media, stating, “We received the report and immediately sent a patrol to the scene. A four-member police team has been deployed to secure the church, and we are reviewing CCTV footage to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice.” A case has been filed under the Terrorism Act 2009, with authorities investigating whether the attack was an act of sabotage, terrorism, or a local dispute. No injuries or casualties were reported, and a bomb disposal team defused two additional unexploded crude bombs at the site.
Father Joyanto Sylvester Gomes, parish priest of Holy Rosary Church, described the attack as “unprecedented” and expressed deep concern. “We are extremely shocked by this explosion in front of our church gate,” he told AsiaNews. “After last year’s mass protests, there has been instability in the country, but our church had never been targeted. This sudden event is alarming. There must be a reason.” He declined to speculate on the attackers’ motives but called for a thorough investigation to ensure justice.
The Holy Rosary Church, visited by Pope Francis in 2017, serves approximately 12,000 Catholics, including many internal migrants who have relocated to Dhaka from rural areas in search of work, according to the Bangladesh Catholic Directory. The church is located in a central Catholic hub, surrounded by a convent, two church-run schools, a college, a hospital, and a handicrafts center. The timing of the attack, just before the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary on October 10, has amplified fears within the Christian community.
Nirmol Rozario, president of the Bangladesh Christian Association, visited the site and condemned the attack. “We are saddened and deeply concerned,” he said. “Christians, Hindus, and Muslims have lived peacefully together in Bangladesh for a long time. This incident raises serious questions about the intentions of those who carried it out.” Rozario urged the government to prioritize the investigation and ensure the prosecution of those responsible, recalling past attacks on Christians, including the 2001 bombing of a Catholic church in Baniarchar, Gopalganj, and the 2016 murder of Catholic merchant Sunil Gomes in Banpara, Natore. “These attacks against peace-loving Christians are deeply painful,” he added.
Catholic parishioner and medical doctor Edward Pallab Rozario expressed alarm over the targeting of a church in an area with a significant Christian population. “Such an incident has instilled fear among local Catholics, especially with the national election approaching in February,” he said, referencing Bangladesh’s recent political turmoil. A student-led uprising in July 2024, sparked by a government crackdown on an anti-quota movement, left at least 1,400 dead and thousands injured, culminating in the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India on August 5, 2024.
As police continue to secure the area and investigate, parishioners and residents remain on edge, hoping for swift justice and a peaceful celebration of the upcoming feast. The attack underscores rising tensions in Bangladesh, where religious minorities face growing uncertainty amid the nation’s volatile political landscape.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from UCA news and Asianews.it
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