The attack on police by BNP activists in front of their party headquarters were premeditated and was aimed to foil the general election, says Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan.

His remarks came while speaking to the media on Wednesday (Nov 14), when he went to the Rajarbagh Police Hospital to visited law enforcers injured in the clash earlier in the day.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police said that 21 of its men and two Ansar members are being treated at the hospital for injuries sustained during the clash.

“The attack on police and arson of their vehicle was premeditated ... It’s clear from the enthusiastic attack by BNP supporters,” Home Minister Khan told reporters.

Responding to a query, he said that the BNP may have an ‘evil motive’ behind the attack.

“The attack came when the entire nation is waiting for the election amid festivity and fanfare.”

The home minister said that legal proceedings over the incident were initiated and that police were going through security camera footages to identify the perpetrators.