Three Held Over BNP Leader’s Murder in Kishoreganj

Police have detained three men in connection with the killing of BNP leader Jahidul Alam Jahangir, alleging that the suspects travelled from Dhaka to carry out the murder on a contract basis. Investigators say efforts are now focused on identifying those who orchestrated the attack and determining the motive behind the killing.

Jahidul Alam Jahangir, 52, was hacked to death with machetes at around 9:30 pm on Wednesday in Mithamain Upazila of Kishoreganj district. During the attack, local BNP activist Hadis Mia, 38, was seriously injured while attempting to save him. He remains under treatment in the surgery ward of Shaheed Syed Nazrul Islam Medical College Hospital.

According to police, the three detainees are Md Helal, 25, from Bamna Upazila in Barguna; Mohin Uddin, 32, from Ramganj Upazila in Lakshmipur; and Shakil Hossain, also known as Shahin, 25, from the same upazila.

Kishoreganj Superintendent of Police Md Mizanur Rahman said the suspects had made preliminary confessional statements during interrogation. Investigators believe they arrived in Mithamain from Dhaka three days before the attack with the intention of carrying out the killing.

One of the alleged attackers was captured at the scene with the help of local residents immediately after the assault. The remaining two were arrested later that night during a special operation conducted by district police.

The Superintendent of Police said investigators were working to establish who hired the suspects and what prompted the attack. Police are also examining the detainees’ previous criminal records. He described the case as a major investigation requiring careful collection of evidence before formal legal proceedings are completed.

Police, eyewitnesses and local residents said Jahangir and Hadis Mia had been returning home by motorcycle from Mithamain Sadar Bazaar when they were ambushed outside Jahangir’s garden house near the embankment. Three men armed with sharp machetes allegedly attacked them without warning.

Jahangir sustained multiple severe injuries to his head and other parts of his body. Both victims were rushed to Shaheed Syed Nazrul Islam Medical College Hospital, where doctors pronounced Jahangir dead. Hadis Mia continues to receive medical treatment.

Azizul Kabir, the injured man’s elder brother, said Hadis Mia was an active BNP supporter despite not holding any formal organisational position. He said Hadis managed to seize one of the attackers during the assault despite suffering multiple machete wounds to his head, hands and legs. According to him, Hadis refused to release the suspect until local residents arrived and handed the man over to police.

Jahangir’s younger brother, former Kishoreganj district BNP member Alamgir Hossain, said the deceased would be buried after Friday prayers at the family’s ancestral graveyard in Mithamain.

The killing has triggered strong reactions within the BNP. District BNP President Shariful Alam and General Secretary Mazharul Islam expressed anger over the incident and demanded exemplary punishment for both the perpetrators and those responsible for planning the murder.

The incident has also drawn attention to Jahangir’s recent legal and political history. On 25 February, he was arrested in connection with a case filed by the engineering office over the alleged felling of 20 government-owned mahogany trees along the Mithamain embankment. On the same day, the BNP suspended his primary membership and all party positions through a letter signed by the party’s Senior Joint Secretary General, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

After spending about a month in prison, Jahangir secured bail and was released. His suspension as president of the local BNP unit was officially withdrawn on 5 July. However, the withdrawal letter became public only after his death.

Police have said the investigation remains ongoing and that all aspects of the case, including the identities of any individuals who may have commissioned the killing, are being thoroughly examined.