Police have not been able to ascertain who opened fire targeting the personal vehicle of singer Asif Akbar at Moghbazar in Dhaka.
The incident occurred in front of Vishal Centre around 4:55am on Saturday.
Examining CCTV footage, police said an individual arrived in a CNG-run auto-rickshaw, opened fire, and left the scene. However, law enforcement has yet to identify the person.
Police and detectives are investigating whether the attack was carried out over any political, personal, or business dispute.
Musician Asif is a former director of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and is active in BNP politics in Cumilla.
Hatirjheel Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Asaduzzaman told TIMES on Saturday evening, “No one has been identified yet, nor has the motive been confirmed. The investigation is ongoing by examining video footage.”
Expressing shock over the shooting targeting her husband’s car, Asif’s wife, Salma Asif Mitu, said they have no reason to suspect anyone behind the incident.
Hatirjheel police said Asif was inside his studio on the third floor of Vishal Centre in Moghbazar at the time of the incident. His driver was also not near the vehicle. A shot was fired targeting the rear portion of his seat, shattering the vehicle’s glass.
According to an internal police report, a person arrived in a CNG-run auto-rickshaw at the parking area beneath the Vishal Centre market around 4:45am on Saturday, fired at the parked car, and fled.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s (DMP) Tejgaon Division, Ibne Mizan, told TIMES, “Whether anyone else was in that auto-rickshaw will be known through investigation.”
Police information indicates that Asif Akbar arrived at his studio around 8pm on Friday, where several of his friends were also present. His friends left around 3am, and police are currently speaking with them as well.
A security guard stationed nearby rushed to the spot after hearing gunshot sounds. Upon spotting bullet marks on the car, he alerted Asif.
Asif then came downstairs and dialled the national emergency service number 999, after which Hatirjheel police arrived at the scene upon receiving the report.
According to Deputy Commissioner Ibne Mizan, Asif does not suspect anyone and has not filed any complaint against anyone.
Efforts are underway to collect CCTV footage from surrounding establishments to identify the assailant, with one piece of footage already recovered showing only the suspect’s feet.
Police are also looking into whether Asif has any disputes with anyone at his office, whether he possesses any licensed firearms, or whether he has applied for fresh weapon licences.
Inquiries are also being conducted into whether he intends to contest local elections in his home district of Cumilla and whether he has any political rivals.
