Three people, including a woman, were shot during indiscriminate firing in the Swamibagh Munshirteck area of Gendaria in the capital at about 7:30pm on Sunday. The injured were identified as pedestrian Asha Akter, 20, tea seller Alamgir, 33, and pedestrian Siam, 18. Police initially said suspected drug dealers carried out the shooting.

Siam was shot on the left side of his chest, Alamgir in the head and Asha in her right leg. Local residents rescued the bleeding victims and took them to a nearby clinic before they were admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Inspector Md Faruk, in charge of the hospital police outpost, said they were receiving treatment in the emergency department.

Gendaria police station officer-in-charge Moniruzzaman Khan said the gunmen allegedly fired at the office of local resident Monir Hossain, who had assisted police after several arrests over drug sales in Swamibagh and nearby areas. Police have sent officers to check on the victims, are trying to arrest those involved, and will file a case based on victims’ complaints. Police said operations and intelligence surveillance have been increased against drug and illegal-arms networks.