Bangladesh on edge: Student leader shot as pre-poll violence deepens after Hadi killing

Muhammad Motaleb Sikdar, a key organiser of the student-led National Citizen Party (NCP), was attacked by unidentified gunmen at a residence in Khulna’s Sonadanga area late in the morning, according to local media reports.

The shooting comes amid nationwide unrest triggered by the killing of radical activist Sharif Osman Hadi earlier this month.

Targeted attack in Khulna

Sikdar holds a central role within the NCP’s labour wing, Jatiya Sramik Shakti, and also serves as the party’s divisional convener in Khulna.

Party leaders said he was actively involved in preparations for an upcoming labour rally when the attack took place.

He sustained a gunshot wound to the left side of his head and was rushed to Khulna Medical College Hospital before being transferred for further scans and treatment.

Police confirmed the incident and said an investigation is underway to identify those responsible.

Violence follows Hadi killing

The shooting comes against the backdrop of widespread violence that erupted following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a controversial figure who rose to prominence during the 2024 student uprising that led to the removal of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

Hadi was attacked by masked assailants in Dhaka on December 12 while campaigning for the upcoming polls and later died in a Singapore hospital.

His death triggered days of protests, arson, and clashes in several cities, further straining Bangladesh’s law-and-order situation.

Rising tensions ahead of February polls

With parliamentary elections scheduled for February 2026, political temperatures in Bangladesh have continued to climb.

Reports of street violence, targeted attacks, and unrest in sensitive areas have raised fears of further instability in the run-up to the vote.

The NCP, which emerged from last year’s student protests, has become a prominent force in this volatile landscape.

Some of its leaders have drawn criticism for incendiary rhetoric, particularly on foreign policy and regional issues.

Anti-India rhetoric and diplomatic undercurrents

In the aftermath of Hadi’s killing, certain NCP figures made provocative statements accusing India of backing hostile forces in Bangladesh—claims New Delhi has firmly rejected.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs has urged Dhaka’s interim administration to maintain internal security and ensure peaceful, credible elections.

Bangladesh’s interim leadership, headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has repeatedly appealed for calm, even as the country grapples with a surge in politically motivated violence.

A worsening security picture

The attack on Sikdar has reinforced concerns that Bangladesh’s pre-election phase is entering a dangerous spiral, with political rivalry increasingly spilling into gun violence.

As investigations continue, the incident stands as another stark reminder of the challenges facing the country’s stability in the months ahead.