Three NGO Officials Injured in Pabna Attack Over Loan Repayment

Armed assailants attacked three officials of a non-governmental organization (NGO) in Pabna while they were collecting scheduled loan installments. The officials sustained severe injuries and are currently undergoing treatment at Pabna Sadar Hospital.

The incident occurred in the Char Ghoshpur area of Sadar Upazila on Wednesday (April 22) afternoon.

The victims have been identified as Md. Rakibul Islam (30), Assistant Manager of the NGO "Osaka"; Md. Baki Billah (35), Deputy Manager; and Md. Rabiul Islam (36).

According to the police case, a borrower named Zakia Khatun had taken a seasonal loan from Osaka, a partner organization of the government's Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF). After failing to meet her April repayment deadline, she allegedly began avoiding the NGO officials.

The complaint states that Zakia lured the officials to her home under the pretext of clearing her debt. Upon their arrival, her husband, Rezaul along with other family members, ambushed them. The attackers used knives, sticks and iron rods to beat the officials indiscriminately. Locals rushed to the scene after hearing the victims' screams, rescued them and transported them to the hospital.

Following the incident Md. Elias Hossain, Osaka's Assistant General Manager filed a First Information Report (FIR) at the Pabna Sadar Police Station. The case names five individuals as accused, including Zakia Khatun and her husband Rezaul.

Pabna Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Tariqul Islam confirmed the incident, stating that the authorities are treating the case with high priority.

"Based on the complaint, we conducted an immediate raid and arrested the primary accused, Rezaul. Operations are actively underway to apprehend the remaining suspects" OC Islam said.