Ishwardi, Dec 03 (V7N) – A 21-year-old man, identified as Tushar Hossain, has been arrested for firing a pistol during a clash between BNP and Jamaat supporters in Ishwardi, Pabna. The incident, which occurred on November 27, was widely circulated on social media through photos and video showing Tushar pointing a firearm at opponents during the confrontation.
 
Following the incident, Tushar went into hiding to evade arrest. On Monday night (Dec 1), Pabna Detective Branch (DB) police apprehended him near Motin Saheb Ghat on JC Road in Sirajganj Sadar upazila. During the operation, the police recovered one pistol and two rounds of ammunition based on Tushar’s information.
 
DB Officer-in-Charge Rashidul Islam confirmed on Tuesday that Tushar, a resident of Velupura Mahalla, Ishwardi Municipality, was taken into custody. Modern intelligence techniques, local sources, and extensive tracking led police to locate him. The DB team, led by O.C. Rashidul Islam along with SIs Benu Rai and Asit Kumar Basak, conducted the operation.
 
During interrogation, Tushar admitted to possessing an illegal pistol and two live cartridges. Acting on his information, police recovered the weapon and ammunition buried approximately 6–7 inches underground in Velupura Mahalla, wrapped in plastic.
 
A case under the Arms Act (Case No. 06, dated 02/12/2025) has been filed against Tushar at Ishwardi Police Station. He was presented in court and sent to jail later on Tuesday.
 
The clash on November 27 in Char Gargari village of Ishwardi was triggered by a campaign rally of a Jamaat candidate. More than 50 activists from both parties were injured, and over 50 motorcycles were vandalized or set on fire. The viral video of Tushar firing the gun sparked debate about his party affiliation. BNP district convenor Habibur Rahman Habib alleged Tushar targeted their supporters and is linked to Jamaat leaders, while Jamaat district Amir and candidate Prof. Abu Taleb Mondal denied any association with him.
 
Police confirmed that Tushar is a Jamaat worker and was listed as the sixth accused in a case filed by BNP following the clash. Earlier, on November 29, a case was filed against 32 Jamaat leaders, including Abu Taleb Mondal, by Makkel Mridha, convener of Sahapur Union Krishok Dal, along with 150–200 unidentified individuals. Separately, Jamaat filed a case against 38 BNP leaders, including Makkel Mridha, naming 100–150 unidentified people mostly associated with BNP’s Barguna-4 candidate and district convenor Habibur Rahman Habib.
 
Following the violence, police have recovered 21 motorcycles previously looted or burned, including 9 from bamboo groves near Makkel Mridha’s residence, 7 on Monday, and 1 on Tuesday, in addition to those destroyed at the scene.
 
This arrest and ongoing investigation highlight the law enforcement efforts to restore order in Ishwardi and address politically motivated violence ahead of the upcoming elections.
 
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