A leader from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) sustained injuries when unknown attackers fired shots in Dhaka’s Kalabagan area. The incident occurred shortly after the BNP, led by Tarique Rahman, assumed power following a significant win in the 13th Parliamentary elections. The injured individual, Shafiqur Rahman, aged 55 and serving as the joint general secretary of Kalabagan Ward-16 BNP, was shot outside a shoe market near Bashundhara Shopping Complex as reported by Bangladeshi media outlet UNB.
According to a local shopkeeper named Shahparan, who rushed Shafiqur to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, the injured BNP leader is involved in supplying shoes to various local shops. UNB quoted the shopkeeper saying, “Suddenly, a bullet hit his left hand. I cannot say who or what shot him.” Inspector Md Faruk, in charge of the police camp at the hospital, confirmed the incident, mentioning that a businessman with gunshot wounds was brought from Kalabagan and is currently undergoing treatment at the emergency department. He further stated that Kalabagan Police Station has been informed about the situation.
Recent reports indicated a surge in post-election violence across Bangladesh, with at least nine individuals sustaining injuries and a house being set on fire in five districts. In one instance, six people were injured during clashes between two groups of BNP workers in Lalpur upazila of the Natore district on February 14. The Daily Star quoted Md Mojibar Rahman, officer-in-charge of Lalpur Police Station, confirming the clash, mentioning the arrest of two suspects and the recovery of a firearm from the scene, with a case filed in connection with the incident.
