Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Hasina Condemns 2004 Dhaka Grenade Attack as Shameful Chapter
The 2004 attack happened at an Awami League rally in Dhaka.
Grenades killed 24 people, according to the Awami League.
More than 300 others were hurt by fragments.
Ivy Rahman was one of those killed.
Sheikh Hasina, who was then an opposition leader, survived but suffered ear injuries.
Hasina called the attack one of Bangladesh’s most brutal and shameful events.
She said the attack was meant to damage democratic politics.
She also said the Awami League would continue working toward the kind of Bangladesh envisioned by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called the 2004 Dhaka grenade attack one of Bangladesh’s most brutal and shameful chapters.
The Awami League said 24 leaders and activists were killed and more than 300 people suffered splinter injuries.
Ivy Rahman, then chief of the Mohila Awami League, was among those killed.
The Awami League alleged that Harkat Ul Jihad carried out the attack at the behest of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party-Jamaat-e-Islami coalition government.
Hasina said the attack aimed to destroy democratic politics and reaffirmed the Awami League’s commitment to building a secular, modern Bangladesh.
- Who
- Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the Awami League, and people attending an Awami League rally were central to the account.
- What
- A 2004 grenade attack killed 24 Awami League leaders and activists and injured more than 300 others, according to the party.
- When
- The attack took place on August 21, 2004; the statement marked its 22nd anniversary.
- Where
- The attack occurred at Bangabandhu Avenue in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
- Why
- Hasina said the attack sought to destroy democratic politics; the Awami League alleged it was carried out by Harkat Ul Jihad at the behest of the then Bangladesh Nationalist Party-Jamaat-e-Islami coalition government.
- Attack date
- August 21, 2004
- Location
- Bangabandhu Avenue, Dhaka
- Deaths
- The Awami League said 24 leaders and activists were killed.
- Injuries
- More than 300 people reportedly suffered splinter injuries.
- Notable victim
- Ivy Rahman, then Mohila Awami League chief and wife of former President Zillur Rahman, was killed.
- Sheikh Hasina
- Hasina was then opposition leader and suffered ear injuries while narrowly escaping the attack.
- Alleged perpetrators
- The Awami League alleged that Harkat Ul Jihad carried out the attack at the behest of the then Bangladesh Nationalist Party-Jamaat-e-Islami coalition government.