NCP leader shot in head as political violence escalates in Bangladesh

Guwahati: Amid ongoing unrest following the killing of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi, Bangladesh has seen another violent incident targeting a student political leader.

Muhammad Motaleb Sikdar, a senior member of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and head of its labour wing, was shot in the head by unidentified assailants in Khulna.

The attack took place around 11:45 am on Monday at a residence in the Sonadanga area, according to reports from Prothom Alo.

Saif Nawaz, organiser of NCP’s Khulna metropolitan unit, said Sikdar is the divisional convener of the party’s labour wing, Jatiya Sramik Shakti, and was in the process of preparing for a divisional labour rally when he was shot.

Sikdar sustained a gunshot wound to the left side of his head and was immediately taken to Khulna Medical College Hospital. He was later moved to City Diagnostic Center for a CT scan, the police confirmed.

Animesh Mandal, Inspector (Investigation) of Sonadanga Police Station, said further investigations into the attack are ongoing.

Last week, Bangladesh experienced widespread violent protests following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi.

A prominent figure during the 2024 student-led uprising that ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Hadi, 32, was known for his anti-India stance.

He was shot by masked attackers on December 12 while leaving a mosque in Dhaka and was airlifted to Singapore for treatment, where he died on December 18.