Who Was Rana Pratap Bairagi? Hindu Businessman Shot Dead in Bangladesh

A Hindu businessman and journalist, Rana Pratap Bairagi, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Jessore region of Bangladesh on Monday evening, triggering fear and concern amid a spate of recent attacks on members of the Hindu community.

Who was Rana Pratap Bairagi?

Rana Pratap Bairagi, 38, was a resident of Arua village in Keshabpur upazila of Jessore district. He owned an ice-making factory located at Kopaliya Bazar in Monirampur and was also the acting editor of a local newspaper, Dainik BD Khabar, published from Narail.

Police said that a few cases were registered against him at local police stations, though details were not immediately disclosed.

How the killing unfolded

According to investigators, the incident took place around 5:45 pm while Bairagi was present at his ice factory in Kopaliya market. Three attackers arrived on a motorcycle, called him out of the premises, and led him to a nearby alley on the western side of the market.

He was shot multiple times in the head at close range. The assailants fled immediately after the attack, leaving him dead on the spot. Panic spread across the market area soon after the shooting.

Investigation underway

Monirampur police officials said the motive behind the killing remains unclear and that an investigation is underway to identify those involved. Authorities have not confirmed whether the murder had a communal angle, but the incident comes amid reports of multiple violent attacks against Hindus in Bangladesh over the past few weeks.

Security has been stepped up in the area as police continue their probe.