Shariful Islam Sharif, convener of Swechchasebak Dal Ishwardi unit was critically injured after unidentified miscreants fired at his car and hacked him with sharp weapons Wednesday night in Pabna.
The incident took place around 11:45pm on the road in front of Joynagar Kindergarten.
Sharif, 45, was returning home in his car when the attackers fired at the vehicle from the front, forcing it to stop.
They then attacked him with sharp weapons, leaving him with severe injuries to his face and other parts of his body.
Locals rescued Sharif and took him to Ishwardi Upazila Health Complex. As his condition deteriorated, doctors referred him to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment.
Enamul Haque, general secretary of Ishwardi Upazila Zia Sangskritik Sangsad, said Sharif’s condition remains critical and that he was taken to Rajshahi by ambulance.
“We strongly condemn this heinous attack and demand that those involved be immediately identified and apprehended,” Enamul said.
Ishwardi Police Station Officer-in-charge (OC) Md Asadur Rahman said police inspected the scene and launched operations to identify and arrest those involved.
He said it has not yet been confirmed whether the attack was linked to political rivalry and that the motive was being investigated.
Party sources said Sharif, a follower of Pabna District BNP Convener Habibur Rahman Habib, had recently been involved in a dispute with Habib over the post of managing committee president of Maniknagar Girls’ High School.
Sharif had sought the post but another person was elected. He later posted a social media status targeting Habib, writing, “For how much money did you sell the president’s post?”
Sharif and leaders of six front and associate organisations of the Upazila BNP also sent a complaint against Habib to BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
Party sources said the dispute between Sharif and Habib’s supporters became public following the complaint.
