A Bangladeshi trader from Chandpur has been shot dead by armed assailants in South Africa.
The deceased was identified as Md Jamal Mia, 40, son of Md Sidu Mia Bepari of Sipaikandi village in Fatehpur East union under Matlab Uttar upazila.
According to his relatives, the incident occurred around 11:30pm on Wednesday.
Jamal moved to South Africa around four to five years ago in search of a better livelihood. He later opened a general store there and had been running the business with the help of an employee. The exact location of the shop could not be immediately confirmed.
Relatives said a group of armed men stormed into the shop on Wednesday night and opened fire. Jamal died at the scene.
The shop employee was critically injured in the attack and is undergoing treatment at a local hospital.
The motive behind the attack could not be known immediately.
Jamal's father, Sidu Mia Bepari, 70, urged the authorities to take steps to bring his son's body back to Bangladesh as soon as possible for burial in their village.
He also sought cooperation from the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, the Prime Minister and the local MP in bringing back the body.
Sidu demanded justice for his son's killing and compensation from the South African government.
Khokon Mia, a local Union Parishad member, said he informed the Matlab Uttar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Jamal's death.
UNO Mahmuda Kulsum Moni told UNB that she learned about the killing from the UP member and has already contacted the Bangladesh Embassy in South Africa.
"Once the necessary documents of the deceased, Jamal Mia, reach the embassy, it will take the necessary measures," she said, assuring that any assistance required from the authorities in Bangladesh will be provided.
