Amid escalating pre-election violence in Bangladesh, a leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) was shot dead in the capital, Dhaka, on Wednesday night, heightening political tensions just weeks ahead of the general elections.

The victim, Azizur Rahman Musabbir, was a senior leader of the Swechchhasebak Dal, the volunteer wing of the BNP, and a former general secretary of Dhaka City North Swechchhasebak Dal. According to police and local media reports, Musabbir was shot near Karwan Bazar’s Star Hotel on Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue at around 8:40 pm.

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Another man, Sufiyan Byapari Masud, was injured in the attack. Police said miscreants opened fire on both men before fleeing the scene.

Musabbir was rushed to BRB Hospital in Panthapath, where doctors declared him dead. Masud was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and is currently undergoing treatment in the emergency department.

Fazlul Karim, additional deputy commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, confirmed the incident and said investigations are underway to identify the attackers and establish the motive behind the shooting. 

The killing sparked immediate outrage among BNP supporters. Around 200 party leaders and activists gathered at the Karwan Bazar intersection and staged protests, blocking key roads and bringing traffic to a standstill. The protest later spread towards the Saarc Fountain intersection, causing major disruptions during peak evening hours.

Also read: Hindu factory owner and newspaper editor shot dead in Bangladesh

Security forces, including police and army personnel, were deployed to the area to control the situation. Traffic movement was partially restored after the army intervened, though the area remained cordoned off for several hours to prevent further unrest.

The latest incident comes barely a month after another BNP-linked leader, Osman Hadi, was shot dead, underscoring growing concerns over political violence in Bangladesh as the election season intensifies. Authorities have increased security presence in sensitive areas of Dhaka, warning that strict action will be taken to prevent further violence.