Bangladeshi man killed in Pakistan shootout; family says he was headed to Dubai

A Bangladeshi man reportedly killed in a shootout with Pakistani security forces had left home a year and a half ago, telling his family he was traveling to Dubai, relatives said.

Seventeen members of the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were killed on September 26 during an operation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Pakistani broadcaster Samaa TV reported that one of the deceased was a Bangladeshi, though his name was not released.

Relatives in Madaripur identified the man as Faisal Hossain, after seeing photos posted on social media by Pakistani journalist Jawad Yousafzai and by Mahaz, a platform that tracks militant activity in Pakistan.

Faisal’s brother, Arman Morol, said Faisal previously sold prayer beads, caps, and attar perfume at religious gatherings and market stalls across Bangladesh. In March last year, he left home saying he was going to Dubai to support the family financially.

The family, based in Kalikapur Union, Madaripur Sadar, has been unable to contact Faisal’s father, Awal Morol, whose phone remains switched off. Faisal’s uncle, Abdul Halim Morol, said the last contact with Faisal was during Eid-ul-Azha.

“Police intelligence said he was in Afghanistan,” Abdul Halim added.

Relatives said that about six months after leaving Bangladesh, Faisal called his elder brother from Dubai, saying he was doing well but gave no further details.

Bangladeshi authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding Faisal, and bdnews24.com has not received any comment from law enforcement agencies.

Samaa TV, citing Pakistani authorities, reported that two or three Bangladeshis had been killed in previous operations. These men reportedly went to Afghanistan under the pretext of religious work but later joined an “extremist terrorist organization,” the report said.