Bangladesh rocked by suspected IS attack during Eid prayers

Celebrations turned to mourning in Bangladesh on Thursday, as suspected Islamic State group militants  launched an attack on Muslim worshippers and shattered the peace of Eid al-Fitr celebrations.

Bangladeshis are growing accustomed to violence after a spate of attacks by Islamic State group militants and anti-secular jihadis in recent months, but the targeting of Muslims during an Islamic festival is something new for the country.

Gunmen opened fire near worshippers who had gathered for prayers close to the capital Dhaka on Thursday. Bombs were detonated near the crowd of 300,000 who had congregated for Eid, according to CNN.

Thankfully, the death toll was low with only two policemen killed and the Muslim worshippers escaping largely unscathed. The body of one attacker was left behind after clashes between militants and security, with machetes recovered from the scene.

"They threw hand bombs at us and we responded with gunfire. A gunfight ensued and they fired back and threw more hand bombs," Tofazzal Hosain, the northern district's deputy police chief, told AFP.

Azimuddin Biswas, the district administrator, said that the attacks took place on at a nearby school and not on the actual prayer ground.

"The congregation was not affected by the clashes," he told AFP.

The gathering in Kishoreganj were taking part in Sholokia Eid prayers, and the largest such gathering in Bangladesh.

Security had been on high alert during the Eid festival when large crowds congregate for prayers and social gatherings.

Last week, 22 people were killed when gunmen attacked shoppers at a bakery in Dhaka.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility, and on Tuesday the jihadi organisation released a video urging followers to carry out more attacks in Bangladesh.

Entitled "To the braves of the Caliphate of Bangladesh", the six minute video appears to show three Bengali fighters in IS' self-declared capital Raqqa, in Syria, warning of more violent acts. The video also attacked Bangladesh's democratic, secular system of government.

Speaking about the attack on Muslims on Thursday, Bangladeshi Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu told CNN it was still too early to identify the attackers.

"It is not yet clear who was behind the attack but these terrorists are against the true religious practices of Islam and against the secular democratic government of Seikh Hasina."

Religious leaders have urged Muslims to end the violence in the country, and turn away from IS' calls to arms.