A businessman was shot in broad daylight after six armed assailants riding three motorcycles intercepted his microbus in Cox’s Bazar on Friday afternoon.
The attack took place around 3pm in front of Kharulia Lal Golap Community Centre in Sadar upazila, said Cox’s Bazar Sadar Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Sheikh Mohammad Ali.
The victim, Mahmudul Haque, 45, was initially taken to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital before being referred to Chittagong in critical condition.
Recounting the incident, Mahmudul said he was travelling from his home towards Ramu in a private microbus when six men on three motorcycles blocked his vehicle.
The assailants fired three shots at him. One of them also attempted to shoot him in the head, but the firearm failed to discharge. Mahmudul managed to escape by running from the scene.
He claimed to have recognised four of the attackers as Zayed, Kitab Ali, Wazed Ali and Abu Naser, all from the Link Road area.
Mahmudul alleged that the attackers were followers of the president and general secretary of the local union BNP unit.
His family members also alleged that locals detained Abu Naser after the attack, but Jhilongja Union BNP President Rashed Ullah secured his release.
Monir, a relative of Mahmudul, alleged that the attack was orchestrated at the instigation of Liaquat Ali, a Jhilongja Union Parishad member and general secretary of the union BNP unit.
Repeated attempts to contact Rashed Ullah for his comments on the allegations were unsuccessful, as he disconnected the calls.
‘Police have been investigating the incident and efforts are underway to arrest those involved,’ OC Sheikh Mohammad Ali said.
Asked about the alleged involvement of BNP leaders, he said police were looking into the matter and collecting the victim's statement.