Unidentified assailants shot a leader of Jatiya Shramik Shakti, the labour wing of the National Citizen Party (NCP), in Khulna on Monday. Locals rescued him and rushed him to Khulna Medical College Hospital (KMCH) for treatment.
The victim was identified as Motaleb Shikdar, organiser of Shramik Shakti and Khulna divisional coordinator. The incident occurred around 12:00 pm.
Khulna police and local sources reported that Shikdar was shot by unidentified assailants. He was first rescued by bystanders and taken to KMCH. Later, he was transferred to Shekhpara City Imaging Centre for a CT scan of his head. Shikdar resides in the Pallimangal School area under Sonadanga Police Station.
According to police and local sources, Shikdar frequently visited a rented house on Al-Aqsa Masjid Lane in the Khulna Gazi Medical area. The house, rented by a couple, was the site of the shooting, though the woman’s identity remains unknown. Following the incident, police searched the house and recovered drug use paraphernalia and bottles of foreign liquor. Authorities are working to identify the woman and uncover the main circumstances of the case.
Deputy Police Commissioner (South) of Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP), Md. Tajul Islam, said the incident may have arisen from an internal conflict. He added that the area around the crime scene has a history of drug-related and female-centered criminal activities. The investigation is ongoing, and further details will be released later.
Mufti Faizullah, chief coordinator of the National Citizen Party in Khulna, said he spoke to Shikdar, who stated that around 10:30 am, he was having tea at a shop near the Surgical area. After the people accompanying him left, several men wearing helmets took him into an alley, beat him, and shot him before fleeing.
Faizullah alleged that members of the ruling Awami League may have been behind the attack.
OC Rafiqul Islam said Shikdar is receiving treatment. Police have launched operations in several areas to apprehend those involved, and the investigation into the incident is ongoing.