Dhaka, Jan 23 (NationPress) Amid escalating political unrest leading up to the February elections in Bangladesh, a prominent leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has sustained critical injuries following a shooting incident in the Keraniganj region of Dhaka, according to local media reports from Friday.

The injured individual has been identified as Mohammad Hasan Molla, aged 45, who serves as the general secretary of the BNP in Hazratpur Union of Keraniganj. He was targeted on Thursday night.

Reports indicate that he was rushed to the emergency unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital in severe condition around 11 pm on Thursday, where he is currently undergoing medical treatment.

Inspector Mohammad Faruk, responsible for the police outpost at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, confirmed the incident, stating that a BNP leader named Hasan Molla arrived at the facility with a gunshot wound.

“He is being treated in the emergency department after sustaining a bullet injury to the right side of his abdomen. The incident has been reported to the relevant police station,” Dhaka Tribune quoted Faruk.

The victim’s brother, Rakib Molla, reported that two unidentified assailants on a motorcycle fired upon Hasan while he was returning home in the Keraniganj area. Rakib further mentioned that Hasan was struck on the right side of his abdomen as the attackers fled.

“Upon receiving the news, we quickly arrived at the location, rescued my brother, and transported him to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where he is presently receiving care,” Rakib shared with Dhaka Tribune.

This shooting is the latest event in a series of violent occurrences in a deteriorating law and order context in Bangladesh as the general elections approach.

Just last week, Anwar Ullah, a 65-year-old member of the radical Islamist party, Jamaat-e-Islami, was murdered at his home in Dhaka.

Earlier on January 8, a member of the BNP’s youth faction, Jubo Dal, was killed during a late-night attack in Panchbibi upazila of Joypurhat district, resulting in injuries to his younger sibling, as reported by local media citing police sources.

The deceased, identified as Yanul Hossain, aged 31, was noted for being an active member of Jubo Dal, while his 22-year-old brother, Abdul Momin, was injured in the incident.

In another related case, on January 7, Azizur Rahman Mosabbir, a leader of the BNP's volunteer wing, Jatiyatabadi Swechasebak Dal, was shot dead by gunmen in Dhaka.

Recently, the BNP has expressed grave concerns regarding the deteriorating law enforcement situation in the country as the February elections draw near, criticizing the performance of security agencies under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.

Bangladesh has seen an increase in protests and a decline in law and order since the Yunus-led interim government took office in August 2024.