"Young man shot dead after being dragged out of a salon in Khulna."

Khulna, 5 February 2026: A 22-year-old man, Rakib Hossain, was fatally shot by unidentified assailants outside a salon in the Ashibigha area of Laban Chara last night. The incident occurred at around 10:00 PM on Thursday.

Rakib, the son of local resident Anowar Hossain, was sitting inside the salon when two individuals suddenly entered, forcibly dragged him onto the street, and shot him at close range. According to eyewitnesses, the attackers fired two shots at Rakib’s head before fleeing the scene on foot.

Local residents rushed Rakib to Khulna Medical College Hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Preliminary Investigation

Deputy Commissioner (South) of Khulna Metropolitan Police, Mohammad Tajul Islam, stated that the killing appears to be linked to territorial disputes and conflicts related to drug activities in the area. Two spent bullet cartridges were recovered from the scene. Police sources confirmed that Rakib had been previously implicated in three cases, including drug-related offences. Several suspects involved in the attack have been identified, and law enforcement is actively pursuing their arrest.

OC of Laban Chara Police Station, Tuhin Uz Zaman, added that Rakib’s body would be handed over to his family following post-mortem examination and completion of the legal formalities. A case has been formally registered, and the investigation is ongoing.

Incident Summary

Eyewitnesses reported that the attack was sudden, leaving little chance for intervention. Authorities believe the assailants fled the scene immediately after committing the murder, and local police have heightened patrols in the area to prevent further incidents.

The incident has sent shockwaves through the Ashibigha community, where residents have expressed fear over increasing violent incidents linked to drug-related rivalries. Police have urged anyone with information about the attackers to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation.