BNP leader stabbed in Dhaka

A local Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader was seriously injured after being stabbed in broad daylight in Dhaka's Kadamtali area on Friday, in what his family alleges was an attack stemming from a long-standing political rivalry.

The victim, Shamsuddin Khan, 60, was attacked around noon in the Matuail Medical Road area and was later admitted to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) with serious injuries.

Shamsuddin, a resident of Matuail Medical Road, is the president of the Matuail Matrisadan Unit BNP and general secretary of the local Shamimbagh Panchayat Committee.

Neighbour Shanta Ahmed said he and others rushed to the scene after hearing screams while having tea at a nearby shop. They found Shamsuddin lying on the ground with a stab wound to his back and immediately took him to DMCH.

According to Ahmed, the injured BNP leader identified his attacker as Rakib, 27.

Shamsuddin's brother, Azim Uddin Khan, alleged that the attack took place as Shamsuddin was on his way to Friday prayers. He claimed Rakib stabbed him from behind and accused Rakib and several others, including one Imran, of carrying out the assault over a political dispute involving local Awami League leader Shamim, also known as "Pet Kata Shamim."

Inspector Md Faruk, in-charge of the police camp at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, confirmed that the victim was brought to the hospital from Matuail with a stab wound to his back.

He said Shamsuddin was undergoing surgery, while Kadamtali Police Station has launched an investigation into the incident.