Hindu Businessman Shot Dead in Bangladesh’s Jessore, Police Probe Underway

A Hindu businessman was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Jessore district of Bangladesh, triggering a police investigation amid growing concern over violence targeting minorities.

The victim, identified as 38-year-old Rana Pratap Bairagi, was a resident of Arua village in Keshabpur upazila. He owned an ice-making factory at Kapalia Bazar in Monirampur and also served as the acting editor of a local newspaper published from Narail.

Shot at close range, dies on the spot

According to police accounts, the incident occurred around 5:45 pm at Kapalia Bazar. Three men on a motorcycle allegedly called Bairagi out of his factory and led him to a nearby alley close to a diagnostic centre, where he was shot multiple times at close range before the attackers fled.

Police officials said the victim suffered gunshot wounds to the head and neck and died on the spot. The motive behind the killing remains unclear, and authorities have said there is no immediate confirmation of a communal angle.

Probe underway

Law enforcement agencies have launched a detailed investigation to identify and apprehend those responsible. Police also confirmed that multiple cases were registered against the deceased at different police stations, though further details were not disclosed.

The killing comes against the backdrop of a series of violent incidents involving members of the Hindu community in Bangladesh in recent weeks, including reported cases of lynching, arson and targeted assaults in different parts of the country. Authorities have maintained that investigations are ongoing in all such cases.