BNP leader shot dead in Pabna

The victim was the convenor of the Lakshmikunda Union BNP

A BNP leader has been shot dead in Pabna’s Ishwardi Upazila.

The incident took place around 10am on Wednesday in the Kamalpur area of Lakshmikunda Union, said Ishwardi Police Station chief (OC) Md Mominuzzaman.

The victim, 65-year-old Biru Molla, was the convenor of the Lakshmikunda Union unit of the BNP.

Jahurul Molla, 55, who has been accused over the killing, is Biru's cousin.

According to Biru’s son Rajib Molla’s complaint, Jahurul had encroached on some of their brick kilns. Biru and Jahurul had a row over the issue, which Biru later came to regret, Rajib said. On Tuesday, Jahurul dug out soil from their land overnight and sold it.

“In the morning, my father went to Jahurul to ask him about the matter and they had another altercation. At one point, Jahurul fired a gun at my father and the bullet hit him in the eye. When taken to the Ishwardi Upazila Health Complex, the doctor on duty declared him dead.”

Several attempts were made to contact Jahurul over the phone, but he could not be reached for comment.

OC Mominuzzaman said, “We learnt that a family dispute led to the shooting. The incident is under investigation.”

He also said the body was sent to the morgue in Pabna General Hospital for a post-mortem. Police would take the necessary legal action if the family files a complaint.