NETROKONA, Bangladesh — A journalist was shot dead by two unidentified assailants at a market in Netrokona district in northeastern Bangladesh on Thursday night, police and witnesses said.
The victim, Lutfuzzaman Alif Fakir, worked as the Netrokona correspondent for Ruposhi Bangla, a private internet protocol television (IPTV) channel. He also ran a Facebook page called Detective Article, where he wrote about alleged irregularities and criminal activities.
The attack took place at around 8:15 p.m. at Telnajia Bazar along the Shyamganj–Birishiri road in Kolmakanda municipality. Fakir had reportedly finished drinking tea at a shop and was leaving for home when the two assailants approached him and opened fire several times.
Witnesses said the attackers initially asked for cigarettes before suddenly shooting him. As local residents rushed towards the scene after hearing the gunshots, the assailants fled on a motorcycle parked nearby.
Fakir was taken to a local upazila health complex, where doctors declared him dead. Police said bullet wounds were found on several parts of his body, including his head, neck and chest.
Durgapur police station officer-in-charge Khandaker Shaker Ahmed Khan said the incident was under investigation. Netrokona Superintendent of Police Md Tarikul Islam said initial findings suggested that the killing may have been premeditated.
Fakir had previously been attacked. On November 10 last year, assailants allegedly hacked and injured him near the Teribazar ferry terminal on the Someshwari River. A colleague who attempted to intervene was reportedly chased by the attackers, who threatened him with a weapon.
Fakir, who was originally from Sunoi village in Pogla Union of Kolmakanda upazila, married a woman from Telnajia village about six years ago. He leaves behind a four-year-old daughter and a one-and-a-half-year-old son.
Police have not announced any arrests or established a motive for the killing.
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