Hours after Islamic State (IS) claimed to bomb on police in Dhaka, the government ruled out any activities of the Middle East-based militant outfit in Bangladesh.

“There’s no such thing called IS in Bangladesh,” Information Minister Hasan Mahmud told the media at his offices on Sunday (Sept 1).

“Even if a tyre bursts, the IS claims it,” he added.

Two policemen were injured in the blast that took place around 9:20 pm on Saturday in Dhaka’s Science Laboratory intersection.

One of them was escorting LGRD Minister Tazul Islam through the area.

The US-based SITE Intelligence said in a tweet on Sunday, “IS claims credit for the bomb blast on police in the Bangladeshi capital.”

A case over the incident was started by Sub-Inspector Jahirul Islam as plaintiff under the Explosive Substances Act on Saturday, said New Market Police OC Atiqur Rahman.

Police have launched a probe into the blast, he added.

SITE Intelligence had previously reported IS’s the claim of responsibility of the 2016 terrorist attack on Holey Artisan Bakery in Gulshan.

Since the Gulshan attack in 2016, the police have come under attack on a few occasions. Reports attributing credit to IS had also surfaced after the incidents.