A series of bombs in two Bangladesh cities killed at least eight people and injured 66 today.
No one claimed responsibility in what appeared to be attacks by militant Muslims who want to impose harsh Islamic law. Police investigators pointed to outlawed Islamic militant group Jumatul Mujahideen Bangladesh, blamed for similar attacks this year.
The attacks prompted widespread condemnation and protests, including a call by lawyers for a day-long general strike on Thursday.
Prime Minister Khaleda Zia called the bombers "enemies of the nation, Islam and democracy" and vowed to punish them, state-run Bangladesh Television reported.
"Those who kill people in the name of religion are enemies of Islam. They are terrorists and murderers. We'll crush them," Mr Zia told a public rally in southern Patuakhali town. She also urged people to remain vigilant and unite against "the extremists".
The explosions in the port city of Chittagong and in Gazipur town, just outside the capital, Dhaka, happened just before 9am (local time) and appeared to target courthouses, police said.
Three bombs went off just outside the Chittagong courthouse, killing two police officers, police said.
Sixteen people - including the second suspected suicide bomber - were injured in the Chittagong blasts, said medical staff.
The first blast reportedly occurred when police scuffled with a suspected bomber at the courthouse gate, and the second then detonated two more bombs.
Five more people, one an alleged bomber, were killed instantly in Gazipur town when a powerful bomb went off inside the Bar Library near a courthouse.
AP