Two people were shot and three others injured after gunmen allegedly opened fire, targeting local BNP leader Liaquat Ali Member inside the Cox’s Bazar court premises on Sunday. Police detained one suspect along with a pistol and magazine from the scene.
The incident took place around 11:30am on the Cox’s Bazar District and Sessions Judge Court premises.
The injured include two leaders of the Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal, identified as Moin Uddin and Rony. According to police, Moin Uddin is a cousin of BNP leader Liaquat Ali Member.
Cox’s Bazar Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime and Operations) Ahidur Rahman confirmed the matter.
Police said the detained suspect was identified as Ziaul Haque Zia, a resident of Kalirchhara area under Eidgaon upazila. A pistol and a magazine were recovered from his possession.
Witnesses said Liaquat Ali Member, general secretary of the Jhilongja Union BNP in Cox’s Bazar Sadar, had gone to the court to attend a hearing in a case when the attackers opened fire, targeting him. He reportedly escaped unharmed after moving away, but people standing nearby sustained bullet injuries.
The injured were rescued and sent to Chittagong Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment.
Police officials said the detained suspect was taken to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Model Police Station for questioning, and an investigation into the incident is underway.
Officer-in-Charge of Cox’s Bazar Sadar Police Station Mohammad Ali told reporters that the attack was believed to have stemmed from previous enmity.
“Primarily, we have learned that the attack took place over prior rivalry. We are not disclosing the names of the rival group at this stage for the sake of investigation,” he said.