Christian convert stabbed to death in Bangladesh

A Christian convert was hacked to death by unidentified attackers in northern Bangladesh on Tuesday, amid growing attacks on religious minorities by suspected militants in the Muslim-majority country.

The police said at least two attackers stopped Hossain Ali while the 68-year-old was taking his regular morning walk in Kurigram town and then lunged at his neck with sharp weapons.

"He died on the spot. The attackers exploded a molotov cocktail to create panic and left the scene on a motorcycle," Kurigram District Police chief Tobarak Ullah informed, reports Dawn.

Ullah said Ali had converted to Christianity from Islam in 1999 but he was not sure whether the deadly attack was carried out by militants or if there was another motive.

Nobody has claimed responsibility for the killing.

However, the militants claiming to be soldiers of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria group have in the recent months claimed responsibility for a series of attacks on converts and minorities.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina-led government blames the banned homegrown militant group Jamayetul Mujahideen Bangladesh for the upsurge in deadly violence.