Tension gripped Chattogram on Wednesday evening as gunfire erupted at a Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) election rally, leaving BNP’s Chattogram-8 candidate Ershad Ullah shot and a party activist dead in a chilling outbreak of political violence.
The shocking incident took place around 5:30 pm in the Chalitatli area under Bayezid Police Station, where Ershad Ullah was addressing supporters shortly after receiving his party’s nomination.
Suddenly, a group of armed assailants opened fire into the crowd, sending hundreds fleeing in panic.
Among the injured, BNP activist Sarwar Babla was pronounced dead after taken to hospital.
Several others were also injured in the hail of bullets.
Ershad Ullah, the convener of Chattogram city unit BNP and a veteran party figure, was rushed to Evercare Hospital with bullet wounds. Doctors have described his condition as critical.
“We are at the scene and gathering evidence,” said Bayezid Bostami Police Station OC Jasim Uddin, confirming the attack. “The shooters fled before police arrived. We’re working to identify them.”
Witnesses described chaotic scenes – with supporters ducking for cover as gunfire rang out and vehicles sped away from the rally site. “It was terrifying. People were screaming and running everywhere,” said a local resident.
BNP leaders have condemned the shooting, calling it a “pre-planned attempt to silence opposition voices” ahead of the national election.
The daylight attack has sent shockwaves through Bangladesh’s political landscape, underscoring the growing volatility and fears of escalating violence as election fever builds across the country.
Police have launched a full-scale investigation, while security has been tightened in the port city following the deadly assault.