A series of bombs in two Bangladeshi cities has killed at least nine people and injured more than 60 others, with police blaming outlawed Islamic militants who want to impose harsh Islamic law in the secular country.
No one has claimed responsibility, but police investigators point to the outlawed Islamic militant group known as Jumatul Mujahedin Bangladesh, which was blamed for similar attacks earlier this year.
Several bombs exploded outside a court in the southern port city of Chittagong, and almost simultaneously a bomb exploded at a court library in Gazipur town, near Dhaka.
Policemen and lawyers are among the injured. Police suspect suicide bombers were involved in the attacks.
Security has been stepped up across the country. Lawyers across Bangladesh boycotted courts and staged street protests Tuesday, demanding that the government take action to end the attacks.
Two judges were killed in the town of Jhalakathi earlier this month. On Monday, security was tightened around embassies after a threat.