Internal conflict within the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Ishwardi, Pabna, has escalated beyond party rivalry into repeated clashes, shootings, attacks, vandalism and alleged displays of weapons over the past two years. The violence is linked to competing influence and control over sand leases, scrap business, tenders, transport stands and drug trade. Most recently, Ishwardi Upazila Jubo Dal volunteer wing convener Shariful Islam Sharif was shot and hacked late Thursday and remains in critical condition at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital.

Sharif accused Pabna district BNP convener Habibur Rahman Habib in a Facebook post. Local leaders say the long-running dispute involves supporters of Habib and Zakaria Pintu, a district BNP joint secretary and former general secretary of Ishwardi municipal BNP. The source lists numerous incidents since August 2024, including gunfights, injuries, property damage and the killing of Chhatra Dal worker Sachin Biswas.

Mehedi Hasan, Pintu’s brother and a former upazila volunteer wing member secretary, alleged that Habib uses influence to secure the release of armed people. Habib denied the allegation, saying Pintu’s four brothers were expelled from the party and were involved in criminal activity. Ishwardi police chief Asadur Rahman said patrols and surveillance have been increased, while maintaining that law and order across the entire upazila had not collapsed.