Helmeted gunmen kill BNP leader in daylight ‘drive-by attack’ in Khulna

Police say the attackers arrived on a motorcycle and were wearing helmets when they carried out the shooting

A BNP leader has been shot dead in public in Khulna city, with police saying the attackers arrived on a motorcycle wearing helmets.

The shooting took place around 12:30pm at Mathabhanga’s Kazipara Bazar under Labanchara Police Station, said Rezaur Rahman, deputy commissioner (South Division) of Khulna Metropolitan Police.

The victim was identified as 45-year-old Rafiqul Islam Gazi.

Rafiqul was a member of the convening committee of Batiaghata Upazila BNP.

He had also served as a former joint assistant general secretary of the Fatullah Thana Jatiotabadi Swecchasebak Dal.

He was widely known in the area as “Dhakaiya Rafiq”.

Asabur Rahman Hawlader, member secretary of Jalma Union BNP in Batiaghata, confirmed Rafiqul's affiliation with the party.

According to police, Rafiqul was sitting in the market when a helmeted man arrived on a motorcycle, shot him in the abdomen and fled.

Locals rushed him to hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

His body was later sent to the Khulna Medical College Hospital morgue.

Police said Rafiqul spent most of his time in Dhaka and was involved in the stone business.

Efforts are under way to identify and arrest those responsible.

The killing has heightened public concern as police conduct a special joint operation against extortion, organised crime and drug trafficking in Khulna.

Police data shows 17 murders were recorded in the city between January and June this year.

Since the Aug 5 mass uprising, police have linked 34 killings to different criminal gangs.

Investigators say eight organised crime groups repeatedly appear in major criminal cases.

Khulna Police Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Hasan said most recent murders have involved criminal gangs, adding that authorities take action whenever incidents are reported.