10 shot in 16 days in Noakhali's Begumganj; police yet to arrest suspects

A wave of violence has gripped Begumganj upazila in Noakhali, Bangladesh, with at least 10 people shot in a series of incidents over the last 16 days. The shootings, occurring between August 6 and August 22, have taken place across Alaiyarpur, Gopalpur, Choumuhani municipality, and Ziratali union.

Local residents report that armed groups are resorting to firearms amid ongoing territorial disputes, long-standing rivalries, and political conflicts. Despite the escalating violence, police have yet to apprehend any suspects in connection with the recent attacks.

The most recent incident occurred on the night of August 22, when masked gunmen opened fire and detonated crude bombs in the Banglabazar area of Ziratali union. Two high school students, Sakib Al Hasan, 16, and Shakawat Hossain Nadim, 17, were injured and taken to Noakhali General Hospital. Sakib sustained birdshot wounds to his back, left leg, and hand, while Nadim was shot in his left hand. Both were subsequently admitted to the surgery ward.

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Cases have been filed over the incidents and police have conducted several raids, but suspects fled before they could be caught.

Begumganj Model Police Station Inspector (Investigation) Md Habibur Rahman confirmed the incident and stated that cases have been filed. He added that police have conducted several raids, but suspects have managed to evade capture. Drives to recover illegal firearms are ongoing, with four foreign-made pistols and ammunition seized in recent months.

This latest attack follows several other shootings. On August 17, five people were shot while traveling to a wedding. On August 12, an auto-rickshaw driver was abducted, robbed, and shot in the knee. On August 9, a local political leader was shot at his home. An associate of a former district BNP official was also shot on August 6.

Local BNP and Jamaat leaders have criticized the police for inaction and called for immediate measures to recover illegal firearms and arrest those responsible. Additional Superintendent of Police (Begumganj Circle) ANM Imran Khan acknowledged the ongoing efforts to combat illegal arms.

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Drives to recover illegal firearms were continuing, with four foreign-made pistols and ammunition recovered in recent months.