A man identified as “criminal” Sarwar Hossain alias Babla (43) was shot dead during an election campaign in Chattogram on Wednesday evening. The incident also left BNP’s nominated candidate Ershad Ullah and two others injured.
According to police sources, the shooting occurred around 6:30 p.m. in the Chalitatali area of Chattogram-8 constituency during a mass campaign led by Ershad Ullah, the BNP’s official candidate and convenor of the Chattogram city unit. Hundreds of people were reportedly present at the event.
Police said the gun attack was the result of a long-standing rivalry between two local gangs — one led by Sajjad Hossain alias Chhoto Sajjad and the other by Sarwar Hossain. During the clash, shots were fired indiscriminately, injuring Sarwar, Ershad Ullah, and another man named Shanto.
The injured were taken to a private hospital in the city, where Sarwar succumbed to his injuries later in the evening.
Chandgaon Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Jahedul Kabir confirmed the death, saying Sarwar had been facing at least 15 criminal cases, including charges of extortion, murder, and illegal possession of arms.
This is not the first attempt on Sarwar’s life. On March 30, gunmen opened fire on his private car in the city’s Bakalia Access Road area. Two people in the vehicle were killed on the spot, but Sarwar narrowly escaped. Later, several suspects told police that Chhoto Sajjad had ordered the attack over disputes concerning local dominance.
Chhoto Sajjad is known as a fugitive and former Islami Chhatra Shibir cadre, believed to be operating under the direction of Sajjad Ali (Boro Sajjad), who was once convicted in a 2000 Bahaddarhat mass killing case that left eight people, including six Chhatra League activists, dead. Although later acquitted by a higher court, Sajjad Ali reportedly fled abroad and continues to control criminal activities in Bayezid, Panchlaish, Chandgaon, and Hathazari through his associates.
Sarwar was once a follower of the Sajjad group but broke away around 2015. He had recently married, with BNP leader Ershad Ullah and other local leaders attending his wedding. Released on bail in August last year, Sarwar had been seen participating in several BNP rallies and gatherings.
Commenting on the incident, BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said the party had no connection with the shooting.
“There were hundreds of people accompanying our candidate during the campaign. It appears that Sarwar got caught in a clash between two rival gangs. The incident has nothing to do with BNP,” he said.
Ershad Ullah is now undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Chattogram. Former city Jubo Dal General Secretary Mohammad Shahed said doctors have declared Ershad out of danger, though he sustained pellet injuries in his abdomen.