Two labourers were critically injured when an abandoned bomb exploded while they were digging soil in Jashore’s Sharsha upazila on Wednesday.

The incident took place in the morning at a spot known as Goni Dhali’s homestead in Balunda South Para of Kayba Union. The injured were identified as Zakir Hossain (48), son of Abdul Barik, and Abdul Qader (45), son of late Nuzzak. Both are residents of Balunda village and work as soil-cutting labourers.

According to local residents and police, Zakir Hossain and Abdul Qader were digging soil at the site when their spade struck an object buried about one and a half hands deep underground, triggering a loud explosion. Hearing the blast, locals rushed to the scene and rescued the two workers in bloodied condition.

The injured were taken to Jashore 250-bed General Hospital in critical condition. Hospital sources said Zakir Hossain’s condition is extremely critical, while both victims are currently under close observation.

Sharsha police visited the scene after receiving information. Officer-in-Charge (OC) Maruf Hossain said initial findings suggest the bomb had been buried underground for a long time. However, police are investigating whether the explosion was linked to any planned subversive activity.

Additional police have been deployed in the area to maintain law and order, and legal action is underway, the OC added.