A local leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) was injured after unidentified assailants opened fire in the Kalabagan area of Dhaka on Sunday night, police and local media reported. The incident occurred around 9:30 p.m. in front of a shoe market opposite Bashundhara Shopping Complex, under Kalabagan Police Station jurisdiction.
The victim has been identified as Shafiqur Rahman (55), a former joint general secretary of the BNP’s Ward-16 unit in Kalabagan. Rahman, who is also known locally as a shoe supplier to several pavement shops, was hit by a bullet that struck his left hand.
Details of the Attack and Immediate Response
Eyewitnesses said the shooting happened suddenly with no immediate warning, and the assailants fled the scene shortly after the shot was fired. A nearby shopkeeper, identified only as Shahparan, quickly came to Rahman’s aid and arranged for him to be taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for treatment.
Police at the hospital said that Rahman was being treated in the emergency department and that his injury was serious but not life-threatening. Doctors confirmed that the bullet had penetrated the palm of his left hand and that he was expected to recover following treatment.
Kalabagan Police Station has been notified of the incident, and officers were reported to be at the hospital and at the scene collecting initial evidence and statements from witnesses.
Possible Motive Under Investigation
While police have not officially identified suspects or a clear motive, a local Bangladeshi media report pointed to alleged extortion-related conflicts prior to the shooting. According to that version of events, Rahman had been approached by local extortionists in the days leading up to the incident, who demanded money and made repeated calls. On the night of the shooting, the assailants reportedly confronted him and then opened fire when he did not comply though this account has not been confirmed by law enforcement.
Investigators from the Kalabagan Police are examining the possibility of criminal motives such as extortion or local disputes, along with political factors, given Rahman’s prominence in the BNP at the ward level.
Political Context and Safety Concerns
The shooting comes at a time of heightened political activity in Bangladesh, following the BNP’s return to power after the country’s 2026 general elections, which have been accompanied by reports of political clashes and isolated violent incidents.
Police have not ruled out political motives but stress that no formal statement linking the attack directly to party politics has been made. They continue to work on multiple angles as part of their probe.
Community Reaction and Law Enforcement Steps
The incident has raised concerns among local residents and business owners in the Kalabagan area, especially because it took place in a busy commercial zone near one of Dhaka’s prominent shopping districts. Many expressed shock at the brazen shooting in a crowded urban locale.
Law enforcement has increased patrols in the vicinity and is urging anyone with information about the attack or the identity of the attackers to come forward to aid the investigation.