7 injured, including schoolboy, as gunmen attack anti-drug human chain participants

An attack and shooting took place in Cumilla city as participants were returning home after attending an anti-terrorism and anti-drug human chain program. At least 7 people, including a student, were injured in the shooting. Several of the injured have been admitted to Cumilla Medical College Hospital. A critically injured schoolboy named Prem has been sent to Dhaka.

The incident occurred in the Katabil area of the city. Immediately after the incident, the Police and RAB launched an operation on Thursday afternoon. The matter was confirmed by the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Kotwali Model Police Station, Towhidul Anwar.

According to local sources, teen gangs and drug traffickers had been openly parading with domestic weapons in the Katabil and Telikona areas for the past two days. In protest against that incident and demanding a drug-free area, a human chain program was organized by conscious citizens in front of the Katabil Government Primary School on Thursday. The shooting took place when everyone was returning home after the human chain, sparking panic in the area.

Requesting anonymity, multiple local residents said that the terrorists opened fire targeting the schoolboy and others while they were returning home after the human chain. Those who fired the shots are identified local terrorists involved in the drug trade, and they control the teen gangs.

The Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Kotwali Model Police Station, Towhidul Anwar, told the media, "Upon receiving the news, the police went to the spot and launched an operation. However, the terrorists fled the area immediately after the incident. The police operation is ongoing."