Pabna:A cattle market leaseholder and a local BNP leader were shot dead by unidentified assailants in Pabna Sadar upazila, reportedly due to a dispute over the market lease.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the victims, identified as Abdus Salam, 54, and Ripon, 30, were from Dharmagram village. The incident occurred at Salam's business establishment at Pushpapara Bazar when a group of 5-7 attackers opened fire around 630 pm on Thursday.
Locals rushed the wounded individuals to Pabna General Hospital, where they were declared dead upon arrival by the attending doctor. Salam had been managing the lease of the Pushpapara Cattle Haat for two decades, as noted by local residents.
Pabna Superintendent of Police Abu Ashraf mentioned that preliminary investigations suggest the murders were linked to a conflict over the cattle market lease involving two rival groups. Officer-in-Charge of Ataikula Police Station Pradip Kumar Saha stated that efforts are ongoing to identify the assailants and determine the motive behind the attack.