BNP Leader Azizur Rahman Musabbir Shot Dead in Dhaka Amid Rising Political Violence

In yet another incident of political violence ahead of Bangladesh’s upcoming elections, senior BNP leader Azizur Rahman Musabbir was shot and killed by unidentified assailants in Dhaka’s Karwan Bazaar area on Tuesday night. The killing has heightened concerns over deteriorating Law and Order as the country heads toward the February 12 polls under a strict model code of conduct.

According to police officials, the attack took place at around 8:30 p.m. (local time) near the Super Star Hotel and close to the Bashundhara City Shopping Complex, one of the busiest commercial hubs in the capital. Musabbir was targeted at close range when gunmen opened fire in an alley near the popular Star Kabab eatery.

Musabbir previously served as the general secretary of the Dhaka Metropolitan North Swechchhasebak Dal, the volunteer arm of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. Party sources said he had remained politically active despite heightened tensions and repeated warnings of violence in the run-up to the elections.

Police officials said Musabbir sustained gunshot wounds to the abdomen and collapsed at the scene. He was rushed to a nearby private hospital in the Panthapath area, where doctors declared him dead. Another individual who was shot during the same attack was taken to hospital and is reported to be in stable condition.

Fazlul Karim, Additional Deputy Commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Tejgaon Division, confirmed that two people were shot during the incident. “The victims were initially taken to BRB Hospital. One of them was later transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for further treatment,” he said, adding that the attackers fired multiple rounds before fleeing the scene.

The killing is the latest in a series of violent incidents targeting opposition figures in recent weeks. Only days earlier, a Jubo Dal leader was shot in a separate incident. On December 12, Osman Hadi, a controversial political figure known for his anti-India stance, was also shot dead, further deepening fears of escalating political unrest.

Security Forces Move In After Protests Erupt

Following news of Musabbir’s death, tensions flared in the Karwan Bazaar area. Late on Tuesday night, protesters blocked the Saarc Fountain intersection, bringing traffic to a standstill and raising fears of wider unrest.

Army units arrived at the scene around 10:30 p.m. and cleared the roads, dispersing demonstrators and restoring vehicular movement. However, protests briefly resurfaced later in the night, prompting security forces to cordon off the area while cautiously allowing traffic to pass.

Police and army personnel remained deployed in and around Karwan Bazaar for several hours to prevent further disturbances and ensure public safety. As of Wednesday morning, no arrests had been made, and a manhunt was underway to identify and apprehend those responsible for the shooting.

The killing of Azizur Rahman Musabbir underscores the growing security challenges facing Bangladesh during the election period, with opposition parties repeatedly alleging targeted attacks on their leaders and supporters. Authorities have said investigations are ongoing and have assured that those responsible will be brought to justice.