A pedestrian was killed in a cocktail explosion in Dhaka’s Mogbazar area on Tuesday evening, police have confirmed.

Police suspect the crude explosive was hurled from the Mogbazar flyover. A church is located close to the blast site.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) of DMP’s Ramna Division Masud Alam said police are collecting and analysing CCTV footage from the surrounding area to identify those involved.

He told reporters that similar incidents of cocktails being thrown from the flyover had occurred at different times in the past, mainly to spread fear.

Police believe the incident has no connection with Christmas.

According to police, the explosion occurred shortly after 7:30pm on the main road in front of the Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad Central Command building at Mogbazar intersection. A church gate is located immediately after the Muktijoddha Sangsad complex.

An official of AG Church said there are two churches in the Mogbazar Muktisangsad alley, one of which is located at the mouth of the alley near the main road, where the blast took place.

Police said that at the time the cocktail was thrown, an employee of a car decoration shop was standing at the spot. He was found lying on the road in a bloodied condition and died shortly afterwards.

Police cordoned off the entire area immediately after the incident.

The deceased was identified as Siyam, aged around 22 or 23. Police said he had gone to the area to have tea at a nearby shop when the explosion occurred.