BNP Worker Shot Dead in Pabna Over Illegal Sand Extraction

A 35-year-old man was shot dead on Friday afternoon during a violent clash between two rival factions over illegal sand extraction from the Padma River in Pabna Sadar Upazila. Local Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leaders identified the victim, Manju Sheikh, as an active party worker.

The fatal shootout occurred around 1:00 pm in the Jotkakuria Kalabagan char area, bordering the Chartarapur and Bhandara unions. According to local sources, tensions over control of the sand extraction site had been escalating since Thursday, culminating in Friday's deadly armed confrontation where Manju was killed on the spot.

Sujanagar Upazila BNP Member Secretary Sheikh Abdur Rouf, who is the victim's uncle, stated that Manju was shot while attempting to stop an opposing group from illegally lifting sand from the riverbank.

Pabna Additional Superintendent of Police Rezinur Rahman confirmed the fatality. "Manju Sheikh was killed in a shootout between two groups disputing sand extraction rights," the Additional SP stated. He added that a police team was immediately dispatched to secure the area and recover the body, which will be sent to the Pabna General Hospital morgue for an autopsy.

Law enforcement officials are currently investigating the incident to identify and apprehend the perpetrators involved in the murder.