A medicine trader was hacked to death and his wife injured after a gang allegedly entered their house through a tunnel-like hole in Koyra upazila of Khulna district on Monday.
The deceased was identified as Bhabatosh Mridha, 37, a resident of the Middle Moheshwaripur area under Moheshwaripur union of the upazila.
He was known locally as a medicine businessman and owned a pharmacy at Gilabari Bazar in the same union.
According to local sources, the incident took place around 1.30 am when a group of miscreants reportedly cut through the mud wall of the house and entered inside.
Local Union Parishad member Mizanur Rahman Khokon said Bhabatosh woke up after hearing noises and tried to resist the intruders.
At that time, the attackers allegedly hacked him indiscriminately with sharp weapons, leaving him critically injured.
His wife was also injured while trying to save him, he added. Locals later rescued the couple and took them to Koyra Upazila Health Complex, where the on-duty doctor declared Bhabatosh dead.
His wife is currently undergoing treatment there and is said to be out of danger.
Officer-in-Charge (Acting) of Koyra Police Station Md Shah Alam confirmed the death and said police were sent to the spot immediately after the incident.