BNP candidate Ershad injured, listed 'criminal' Sarwar killed in gun attack on Ctg campaign
The BNP leader sustained critical injuries and was rushed to Evercare Hospital in Chattogram for treatment
The BNP's Chattogram-8 constituency candidate Ershad Ullah was injured and a party supporter killed in a gun attack during a campaign event in Chattogram, police said.
The interim government issued a statement tonight, mentioning that immediate investigation by the Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) indicates BNP candidate Ershad Ullah was not the target of the attack, but a stray bullet hit and injured him.
The incident occurred while Ershad Ullah was campaigning in the city's Chalitatali area in Bayezid around 5:30pm ahead of the upcoming elections.
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The deceased, identified as Sarwar Hossain alias Babla, 43, was described by police as a listed criminal.
He died around 6:30pm at a private hospital in the city, Bayezid Police Station Officer-in-Charge Jashim Uddin told The Business Standard.
Jubo Dal leader Shanto also sustained bullet wounds in the shooting.
In the statement, the government expressed deep concern at this criminal act and reiterated unwavering commitment to protecting the safety and rights of all candidates and citizens participating in the democratic process.
According to police, Sarwar was shot following a previous feud over dominance with his rival group led by another listed criminal, Sajjad Hossain alias Chhoto Sajjad.
Former city BNP office secretary Idris Ali told The Business Standard that the shooting occurred moments after Ershad came out of a mosque in Chalitatali following evening prayers.
"Gunmen opened fire as he was walking along the road. Ershad, Sarwar, and Shanto were all sustained bullet inuries. Babla died later at the hospital, while Shanto remains in critical condition. Ershad's condition is now stable," he said.
When asked about the incident, BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury told Prothom Alo that the party had no involvement in it.
He said, "Hundreds of people joined the BNP candidate's campaign, and Sarwar was shot amid a clash stemming from a previous feud between two rival groups."
Police sources said Sarwar was accused in at least 15 cases, including extortion, murder, and illegal arms charges.
This is not the first attempt on Sarwar's life. On 30 March last year, gunmen opened fire on a private car in the city's Bakalia area in a bid to kill him. Two people in the car were killed on the spot, but Sarwar escaped.
Investigators later said the attack was ordered by Chhoto Sajjad, a follower of fugitive militant Sajjad Ali, to assert control over the area.
Chhoto Sajjad and his wife have been in jail in a case filed in connection with the murder.
Sajjad Ali, convicted in the 2000 Bahaddarhat massacre that killed eight people including six Chhatra League activists, fled abroad after being acquitted on appeal. From overseas, he allegedly continues to run a network of armed men across Bayezid, Panchlaish, Chandgaon, and Hathazari through Chhoto Sajjad.
Sarwar, who had once been part of that network, reportedly split from the group in 2015.
After his release on bail in August last year, he had been seen attending several BNP programmes in the city.
Sarwar got married a month ago. Several BNP leaders, including Ershad Ullah, attended the ceremony.
