Eight individuals sustained gunshot wounds during a reported clash between leaders and activists of two groups of Chhatra League in Pabna city over establishing dominance.
The incident occurred in front of Masum Bazar at Pabna Bus Terminal around 10:30pm on Saturday. The identities of the injured could not be known immediately.
According to witnesses and police reports, a confrontation erupted between the factions of Mehendi Hasan, the former vice president of the district Chhatra League, and Ifte Arafat Sifat, the former organizing secretary of the municipal Chhatra League, in front of Pabna Women's College.
The clash between the two groups began when Mehendi’s activists passed Sifat's office, situated next to each other, around 10pm. Eight people were shot, and several others sustained injuries.
The wounded, most of whom were affiliated with Mehendi’s group, were rescued and admitted to Pabna General Hospital.
Pabna Sadar police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Kripa Sindhu Bala confirmed the incident. He stated that when Mehendi was heading to the party office with his supporters, Sifat’s group opened fire. Additional police forces have been deployed, and the situation is currently under control.
Mizanur Rahman Sabuj, the district Chhatra League president, said: "Sifat's group attacked Mehedi's supporters. There had been ongoing tensions between them. We attempted to resolve the issue multiple times, but they engaged in a dispute again after a few days."
However, Ifte Arafat Sifat, the former organizing secretary of Pabna municipal Chhatra League, denied initiating the attack. He said: "I was in my office talking on the phone when suddenly Mehendi attacked me with 20-30 people and fired shots at me. I somehow managed to save my life."