Two people, including a mosque committee leader, were shot after gunmen entered a mosque during Fajr prayers in Khulna early Sunday.
The incident took place around 5:30am at the Jame Mosque in the Paschim Kashipur Power Plant area under Daulatpur police station.
The injured were identified as Lokman Hakim, 45, secretary of the mosque committee, and Alam Sheikh, 55.
According to police and local sources, several armed assailants entered the mosque during prayers and opened fire on worshippers. Lokman Hakim was the apparent target of the attack, while Alam Sheikh was also hit by gunfire.
The two men collapsed inside the mosque with bullet injuries as the attackers fled the scene.
Worshippers and local residents rushed to their aid and took them to Khulna Medical College Hospital. As Lokman's condition deteriorated, doctors referred him to Dhaka for advanced treatment.
Khulna Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner (Daulatpur Zone) Shafiqul Islam said police have launched an investigation into the incident.
"We have collected evidence from the scene and are working to obtain CCTV footage from nearby areas. Multiple teams are investigating the motive behind the attack and trying to identify those involved," he said.
The police official added that Lokman Hakim is a contractor and fuel oil trader with the West Zone Power Distribution Company Limited (WZPDCL).
"We are also investigating whether the attack was linked to any previous dispute or rivalry," he added.