A Natore court today sentenced five members of banned militant outfit Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) to life term in a case filed for serial bombing in the district on August 17, 2005.

The militants who received the life term are Abdur Rashid, Shihab Uddin, Delwar Hossain, Hafizur Rahman and Abdul Matins.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Pradip Kumar Ray also acquitted two persons -- Shafiullah alias Tarik and Shahidullah alias Faruk – as allegations brought against them were not proven.

Among the accused, six were produced before the court while Shafiullah, now at Kashimpur jail, could not be brought to the court due to the Jamaat-enforced countrywide dawn-to-dusk hartal today, reports our Natore correspondent.

While delivering the verdict, the judge said the five have confessed to their involvement in the series bombings.

JMB men had carried out bombings at eight significant places in Natore including the deputy commissioner's office, press club and bus terminal in 2005.