Police get key clues in Ishwardi double murder say officials

Police say they have found important clues in the murder of a grandmother and her teenage granddaughter in Ishwardi, Pabna. Khandaker Md. Shamim Hossain, Additional Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Rajshahi Range Police, said investigators are making progress but declined to share details to protect the investigation.

He made the remarks on Saturday (February 28) afternoon while visiting Bhabanipur village in Ishwardi upazila, where the bodies were recovered.

“We have already found some clues. Based on these, a special police team is working outside Ishwardi. Another team is conducting operations to arrest those involved. We hope to arrest the real offenders soon,” he told reporters.

Earlier, the Additional DIG inspected the scene and spoke with relatives and local residents. He said initial findings suggest there were signs of struggle. Investigators suspect the grandmother tried to protect her granddaughter during the attack. The teenage girl was allegedly taken from the house, sexually assaulted and killed. Police said these findings are preliminary and subject to confirmation through forensic examination.

The incident occurred sometime after midnight on Friday (February 27). The bodies were found in separate locations on Saturday morning. Anwar Zahid, Superintendent of Police in Pabna, also visited the scene later that day.

The victims were identified as Sufia Begum, 70, wife of the late Nazimuddin Khan of Bhabanipur Uttarpara, and her granddaughter Jamila Akhter, 15. Jamila, daughter of Joynal Khan, was a Class 10 student and a Hafeza at Kalikapur Dakhil Madrasa. They lived in the same house. No male family members were present at the time.

According to police and local residents, neighbours heard cries for help late at night. When the noise stopped after some time, they returned home. In the morning, relatives found Sufia Begum’s blood-stained body in the courtyard. Jamila was missing. After a search, locals found her body in a mustard field a short distance from the house.

Police recovered the bodies and sent them for post-mortem examination. The investigation is ongoing.