Shots fired, crude bombs exploded as armed miscreants hack Kushtia BNP leader
Witness alleged that police arrived long after the incident occurred while victim says no effective action was taken regarding security threats
Unidentified armed miscreants shot at, hacked, and detonated crude bombs targeting former senior joint convener of Khoksa Upazila BNP unit Nafiz Ahmed Khan Raju in front of his residence in the upazila last night (5 August).
The attack, which occurred at around 10:30pm in the Thanapara area, just 50 yards from Khoksa Police Station, has spread panic among the locals.
Raju, 45, who is also a prospective mayoral candidate for the upcoming Khoksa municipality election, was returning home from the local BNP office.
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As he reached his front gate, five unidentified men arriving on two motorcycles intercepted his path. After confirming his identity, the assailants launched a pre-planned attack.
The attackers hacked Raju's right leg with a sharp weapon and beat him indiscriminately across his body with an iron hammer, causing severe injuries.
Hearing his screams, family members and neighbours rushed out, prompting the assailants to fire at least 16 rounds of gunshots and explode several crude bombs to create panic before fleeing.
Locals and family members rescued a heavily bleeding Raju and rushed him to Khoksa Upazila Health Complex. Following initial treatment, as his condition deteriorated, he was transferred to the Kushtia General Hospital at around midnight.
Speaking from his hospital bed, Raju alleged that the attack was a premeditated attempt to assassinate him over the upcoming municipal election.
He stated that terrorists carried out the strike to prevent his participation in the polls, adding that he had previously provided specific information regarding security threats to the police, but no effective action was taken.
Confirming the incident, Khoksa Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Molla Zakir Hossain said unidentified criminals fled after attacking the BNP leader and opening fire.
He added that police are working to identify and bring those involved to justice.
Eyewitness Ishrat Jahan Puram, former female vice chairman of Khoksa Upazila Parishad, stated that upon hearing Raju's cries, she ran outside and saw several terrorists firing gunshots and exploding crude bombs in front of the gate.
When Raju sought shelter inside the house, the attackers fired indiscriminately at the gate. She further alleged that police arrived at the scene long after the incident occurred.
Dr Anwar Hossain, a physician at Khoksa Upazila Health Complex, noted that Raju was brought in injured at around 11:30pm. He sustained sharp weapon cuts on his right leg, along with preliminary evidence of two fractured bones in his right upper arm and three fractured fingers on his left hand, prompting his transfer to Kushtia General Hospital for advanced treatment.
The Residential Medical Officer of Kushtia General Hospital confirmed that Raju has been admitted there and is undergoing treatment.
The official stated that the BNP leader sustained sharp weapon injuries across various parts of his body, but no bullet wounds were found, adding that his condition is currently out of danger.
