Islamic State claimed responsibility for stabbing a Christian to death in Bangladesh as a “lesson to others”, an online group that monitors extremist activity said, the latest killing declared by the militant group in the Muslim-majority nation.
The South Asian country has seen a surge in violence in which liberal activists, members of minority Muslim sects and other religious groups have been targeted.
The US-based SITE Intelligence Group said Islamic State claimed responsibility for killing Hussein Ali Sarkar in Kurigram, north of Dhaka.
The group reported on Twitter that a “security detachment” killed the “preacher” to be a “lesson to others”.
Police said the 68-year-old victim converted to Christianity from Islam in 1999 but was not a preacher.
Kurigram district police chief Tobarak Ullah said three attackers stabbed him while he was having his morning walk on Tuesday.
“They left the scene exploding crude bombs to create panic,” Ullah told Reuters by telephone.
“We have started an investigation into the murder. So far, we have not found any militant link.”
Five men were picked up for questioning, he said.
