A man identified as Sarwar Hossain alias Babla, 43, described by police as a “criminal,” was shot dead during an election campaign of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Chattogram on Wednesday.
He succumbed to his injuries at a private hospital in the port city around 5:45pm, confirmed Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) Commissioner Hasib Aziz to TIMES of Bangladesh.
According to police, the shooting occurred over a turf war between alleged criminal groups led by Sajjad Hossain, also known as Chhoto Sajjad, and his rival Sarwar Hossain, who was shot dead in the clash.
Earlier in the afternoon, Sarwar had joined BNP’s Chattogram-8 (Boalkhali–Pahartali) candidate and Chattogram city convener Ershad Ullah during a campaign in the Chalitatali area.
During the programme, Ershad Ullah, Sarwar, and another man named Shanto were shot. Sarwar later died from his injuries.
Police further said Sarwar Hossain had 15 criminal cases against him, including charges of extortion, illegal arms possession, and murder.
Meanwhile, Nazimur Rahman, member secretary of Chittagong Metropolitan BNP, told TIMES of Bangladesh that the incident was orchestrated by Jamaat-Shibir elements. “Everyone involved in this clash is affiliated with Jamaat-Shibir,” he said.
