A Jamaat-e-Islami leader named Zillur Rahman was critically injured in an attack allegedly carried out by activists of the banned Awami League in Bhangura upazila of Pabna on Thursday night. The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. on the Kalinjira Bridge in Khanmarich Union. Locals rescued the bloodied victim and took him to the upazila health complex, from where he was later referred to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital in critical condition. The identities of the attackers were not immediately known.

Earlier that morning, Zillur Rahman reportedly had an argument with several Awami League workers and slapped one of them, which is believed to have triggered the later assault. Following the attack, local Member of Parliament Maulana Ali Asgar and his supporters went to the police station around 10 p.m. to express anger and demanded the arrest of the attackers within 24 hours, warning of tougher action if their demand was not met.

Bhangura Police Station Officer-in-Charge Sakiul Azam confirmed the incident and said a case was being filed. He declined to reveal the attackers’ names for investigation purposes.