Woman strangled while resisting robbery at home in Gazipur; cash, gold looted

A 55-year-old woman was strangled to death by a group of robbers in Gazipur Sadar upazila's Pirujali Madhyapara area early today (8 April) after she tried to resist a robbery at her home.

The victim, Asma Akter, was the wife of Anisur Rahman, who works at a local factory. Their son, Nazmul Sakib, is employed as a night guard at Pirujali Adarsha High School.

Police from Joydebpur Police Station recovered the body from the scene this morning and sent it to Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy, said Nayan Kar, inspector (operations) of the station.

"We are investigating the matter. It is being examined whether this was solely a robbery or if there were other motives. Legal action is underway," he said.

According to local sources and family members, a group of 3-4 robbers broke into the house late at night and held the family hostage at gunpoint. They tied up and assaulted the victim's daughter-in-law, Arifa Akter, leaving her unconscious.

When Asma Akter tried to resist, the robbers allegedly wrapped a cloth around her neck, tied her to a bed, and strangled her to death. The gang then fled with around Tk3.5 lakh in cash, gold ornaments, and other valuables.

Pirujali Union Parishad Chairman Jalal Uddin said the woman was killed while attempting to stop the robbery.

Nazmul Sakib said he was on duty at the time of the incident and discovered his mother's body upon returning home in the morning. His wife was later taken to hospital, where she regained consciousness and recounted the incident.

Arifa Akter said the robbers looted everything in front of them and physically assaulted the family before she lost consciousness.