Two arms case suspects killed in daylight attack outside Khulna court

Two men have been shot and hacked to death outside a courthouse in Khulna.

The attack took place shortly after 12:15pm on Sunday in front of the Khulna District Judge’s Court, according to Khulna Sadar Police Station chief (OC) Shafiqul Islam.

Police identified the victims as Fazle Rabbi Rajon, from the city’s Notun Bazar area, and Hasib Howlader, son of Mannan Howlader. Both were out on bail in an arms case filed with Sonadanga Police Station and had come to court for a scheduled appearance.

Hasib’s brother, Shakil Howlader, said his brother had travelled to the court on Sunday to attend the hearing related to a case filed against him some days earlier.

According to witnesses, the two men had parked their motorcycle near the court gate and were standing nearby drinking tea when four to five attackers approached on foot and opened fire at close range, said OC Shafiqul.

When both men fell to the ground after being shot, the attackers began hacking them with machetes before fleeing the scene.

One of the victims died on the spot.

The other, who was critically injured, was taken to Khulna Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

Police have cordoned off the area and launched an investigation. No arrests have yet been made.