Former BNP leader Azizur Rahman Musabbir shot dead in Dhaka ahead of elections

Another BNP youth leader Azizur Rahman Musabbir shot dead in Dhaka

• Former BNP leader Azizur Rahman Musabbir shot dead in Dhaka's Karwan Bazar
• Shooting sparks protests; army and police deployed to restore order
• Attack occurs amid rising political tensions before Bangladesh's February elections

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Former Swechchhasebak Dal leader Azizur Rahman Musabbir was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka, on Tuesday night, in the latest episode of political violence ahead of next month’s general elections.

The incident occurred around 8.30 pm in the Karwan Bazar area, a busy commercial hub in central Dhaka. Musabbir, who previously served as general secretary of Dhaka Metropolitan North Swechchhasebak Dal, the volunteer wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), was targeted near the Super Star Hotel, close to the Bashundhara City Shopping Complex.

Police said attackers opened fire at close range before fleeing the scene. Musabbir sustained a gunshot wound to the abdomen and was rushed to BRB Hospital in the Panthapath area, where doctors later declared him dead. Another man, identified as Sufian Byapari Masud, was injured in the shooting and is undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. His condition was reported to be stable.

Fazlul Karim, additional deputy commissioner of the Tejgaon Division of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, confirmed that two people were shot in an alley beside Star Kabab in Karwan Bazar. Investigators said multiple rounds were fired during the attack.

According to local media reports, both victims were initially taken to BRB Hospital before Masud was transferred for further treatment. Mohammad Javed, who brought Masud to the hospital, said the injured man is the general secretary of the Tejgaon thana Van Workers’ Union and a resident of Keraniganj.

The killing comes amid rising political tensions in Bangladesh, where the model code of conduct is currently in force ahead of voting scheduled for February 12. In recent weeks, a Jubo Dal leader was shot in a separate incident, while Inqolab Moncho leader Usman Hadi was killed in December during unrest following the July uprising that led to the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

The shooting triggered protests in the Karwan Bazar area late Tuesday night, with demonstrators blocking the Saarc Fountain intersection and disrupting traffic. Around 10.30 pm, army personnel intervened to clear the road and disperse protesters. Demonstrators later regrouped, prompting security forces to cordon off the area while allowing traffic to move cautiously.

Police and army units remained deployed in the vicinity for several hours to prevent further disturbances. Authorities said a search operation is underway to identify and apprehend the attackers. No arrests had been reported as of Wednesday morning.