Islamic militant group Islamic State (IS) has claimed the responsibility for killing Italian national in Dhaka's Gulshan area on Monday night.
The group claimed the responsibility in an online statement, according to Site Intelligence Group, a website that tracks online activity of Jihadi organisations.
Deceased Cesare Tavella, 50, was a technical director working at Netherlands-based development organisation ICCO.
Acting Inspector General of Police Mokhlesur Rahman, speaking to journalists at United Hospital, said the killing appeared to be premeditated. He said preliminary investigation suggested Tavella was attacked by three armed assailants who escaped on a motorcycle.
Tavella was taken to United Hospital by a local resident, Mohammad Bilal, where doctors declared him dead around 7pm. Bilal said Tavella had been at shot first by one assailant and then twice by the other two attackers.
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Witnesses said the injured man attempted to outrun his assailants, leaving behind a trail of blood, before collapsing.
ICCO’s manager for administration and human resources in Dhaka, Alo Rani Dhali, said Tavella was in the habit of jogging home from his office in Gulshan 1 to his home in Gulshan 2.
Police sources said the victim had sustained two bullet injuries to the abdomen and one bullet injury to the hand. They said there was no evidence he had been robbed, adding that his personal effects had been seized for further investigation.
Read More: UK government alerts its citizens in Dhaka
Meanwhile, the UK government issued an alert for its citizens living in Bangladesh fearing militant attacks. It asked its citizens to remain vigilant in the wake of threat from terrorists.
The Australian cricket team has delayed its planned departure to Bangladesh after being warned by its government that there was a potential security risk from militants.
The touring side were due to fly from Sydney on Monday morning for the three-week tour which includes two test matches.