Volunteer Wing Leader Assassinated in Tejgaon Shooting Incident

The capital’s Tejgaon district was gripped by tension on Wednesday night, 7 January 2026, following the targeted assassination of a prominent political leader. Azizur Rahman, also known as Musabbir, a former General Secretary of the Dhaka Metropolitan North branch of the Jatiyatabadi Swechasebak Dal—the volunteer wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)—was fatally shot by unidentified gunmen.

Details of the Ambush

The incident occurred at approximately 8:30 pm in the narrow alleyway behind the renowned Star Kabab restaurant in Tejturi Bazar. According to eyewitness accounts and police reports, Azizur Rahman was socialising with associates when a group of assailants arrived on motorcycles. The gunmen reportedly opened fire indiscriminately before fleeing the scene at high speed.

Azizur Rahman sustained a critical gunshot wound to the abdomen. He was rushed to a private hospital in Panthapath, where attending physicians pronounced him dead on arrival. Another individual, identified as Abu Sufian, the General Secretary of the Karwan Bazar Van Owners’ Association, was also caught in the gunfire. Sufian sustained significant injuries and is currently receiving emergency treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).

Immediate Aftermath and Public Unrest

The news of the assassination triggered immediate outrage among political supporters and local residents. By late evening, a large crowd of protesters gathered at the SAARC Fountain crossing in Karwan Bazar, establishing a blockade that brought traffic to a standstill across one of the city’s most vital arterial roads.

The blockade persisted for several hours until approximately 10:30 pm, when military personnel arrived at the scene to disperse the demonstrators and restore order. Police have since moved Azizur Rahman’s body to the DMCH morgue for a formal post-mortem examination.

Table: Incident Summary – Tejturi Bazar Shooting

Political Context and Investigation

Local residents and political colleagues noted that Azizur Rahman had been a significant figure in the opposition, having faced multiple arrests and legal challenges during the previous Awami League administration. Fazlul Karim, the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of the Tejgaon Zone, confirmed that an active investigation is underway to identify the perpetrators.

“We are currently reviewing CCTV footage from the surrounding Tejturi Bazar area and interviewing witnesses to determine the motive behind this heinous act,” ADC Karim stated. While the specific motive remains unclear, the targeted nature of the attack has led many to speculate on political or local rivalry.