Pabna, Oct 30 (V7N) – Two local political figures, including leaders of the Bangladesh Jatiya Sramik League and Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal, were shot dead in an attack allegedly linked to a dispute over the lease of a market in Pabna on Thursday evening.

The incident took place at around 7pm at Pushpapara Bazar in the Ataikula area of Pabna Sadar upazila.

The deceased were identified as Abdus Salam Haji, 55, leaseholder of Pushpapara Haat, and his associate Ripon Hossain, 50. Both were residents of Dharam village in the Ataikula area.

Pabna Superintendent of Police Abu Ashraf confirmed the deaths.

Rafiqul Islam Mona, convener of Ataikula Union BNP, said Ripon was the president of the Ataikula Union unit of Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal.

Pradip Kumar, general secretary of the Pabna district unit of Sramik League, said Salam Haji had regularly served as convener of the Pabna Sadar Upazila Sramik League. He added that after August 5, 2024, Salam posted photographs on social media with leaders of other political parties but had not formally resigned from his position.

According to police and local sources, a dispute had been ongoing between two groups over the lease of Pushpapara Haat. At the time of the attack, Salam Haji, Ripon and their associates were sitting in their office at the market.

Several masked men allegedly arrived, opened fire on them and fled the scene.

Locals rescued the victims and rushed them to Pabna General Hospital, where on-duty doctors declared both dead.

Superintendent of Police Abu Ashraf said preliminary information indicated that the attack was linked to the dispute over the market lease.

He said police had reached the scene after receiving information about the shooting and were investigating the incident. Operations were underway to identify and apprehend those involved.

The bodies were kept at the morgue of Pabna General Hospital for autopsies.

Anisul Haque Babu, joint convener of the Pabna district BNP, said Ripon had been a dedicated party activist and president of the Ataikula Union Sramik Dal.

“We are deeply saddened by his death. We have not yet confirmed who was involved in the killing, but we hope the perpetrators will soon be identified and brought to justice. The party will take whatever steps are necessary in this regard,” he said.

The motive and identities of the attackers remain under investigation.

END/MSR/SMA/