A gunman opened fire at the personal car of popular Bangladeshi singer and former Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director Asif Akbar in the capital’s Moghbazar area early on Saturday, 24 October. No one was injured in the incident, but the vehicle’s rear right window was badly damaged.
The shooting took place at around 4.50 am in front of Bishal Market, prompting concern over the circumstances surrounding the attack. According to police, a young man arrived at the scene in a CNG-powered auto-rickshaw, fired at the singer’s car and fled immediately afterwards.
Fortunately, no one was inside the vehicle at the time. Asif Akbar was reportedly in his office on the third floor of Bishal Market when the shooting occurred.
After hearing the gunshots, the singer immediately went downstairs to check what had happened. Police were subsequently informed and arrived at the scene to assess the situation and begin preliminary inquiries.
Singer alerted emergency services
Sub-Inspector Al Amin of Hatirjheel Police Station told the media that the incident took place in front of Bishal Market at approximately 4.50 am. He confirmed that the assailant had arrived in a CNG-powered auto-rickshaw before firing at the vehicle and making a quick escape.
Asif Akbar himself contacted Bangladesh’s national emergency service, 999, to report the incident. The emergency number allows members of the public to seek assistance from the police, fire service and ambulance services when required.
Police officers visited the location and conducted an initial assessment. However, the available information did not immediately establish who was responsible for the shooting or what had motivated the attack.
According to police, the singer was unable to identify anyone he specifically suspected of being involved. No detailed allegation against a particular individual was reported at the time of the initial inquiry.
No formal written complaint submitted
Police said no written complaint had been submitted in connection with the incident as of the latest available information. Although the authorities had begun preliminary inquiries, the absence of a formal complaint meant that the singer’s subsequent decision on whether to pursue the matter remained relevant.
When asked about the issue, Asif Akbar reportedly told police that he would consider what to do later. His response left open the question of whether he would submit a formal written complaint.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain unclear. Investigators will need to establish the identity of the gunman, determine how he arrived at and left the scene, and examine whether the attack was connected to any personal dispute or other motive. No conclusion about the reason for the shooting can be drawn from the information currently available.
Evidence from the scene, witness accounts and any available CCTV footage from nearby premises could help investigators reconstruct the incident and identify the suspect. However, no findings on these matters have yet been reported.
Questions remain over the motive
The targeting of a vehicle belonging to a well-known public figure has raised questions about the circumstances of the attack. Nevertheless, there is currently no confirmed information indicating whether the shooting was premeditated, linked to a personal dispute or motivated by another factor.
Asif Akbar is a prominent figure in Bangladesh’s music industry and has also served as a director of the BCB. The attack on his vehicle has therefore drawn attention, although the available facts remain limited.
No injuries were reported, and no arrest had been confirmed in the information available at the time of reporting. The investigation will need to establish what happened, identify the person responsible and clarify the motive behind the shooting.
For now, the damaged vehicle and the account of a lone gunman arriving by auto-rickshaw remain the central details of the case. Further developments are likely to depend on the progress of the police inquiry and whether a formal complaint is submitted.
