Bangladesh witnessed another troubling incident of political violence on Monday, coming just days after the killing of a prominent youth leader that had already raised serious concerns across the country. Unidentified gunmen shot a senior leader of the student-led National Citizen Party (NCP) in the southwestern city of Khulna, according to reports from local media.

The victim was identified as Muhammad Motaleb Sikdar, a central organiser of the NCP’s labour wing, Jatiya Sramik Shakti. He was shot in the head while he was actively preparing for a divisional labour rally that was scheduled to be held in the city. Party members said Sikdar was deeply involved in organising workers and mobilising support for the upcoming event when the attack took place.

Saif Nawaz, an organiser of the NCP’s Khulna metropolitan unit, explained that Sikdar holds an important position within the party. He serves as the Khulna divisional convener and is regarded as a key figure in strengthening the party’s labour movement in the region. At the time of the shooting, he was reportedly engaged in outreach and coordination work linked to the rally.

Police officials confirmed that Sikdar suffered a gunshot wound to the left side of his head. He was immediately taken to Khulna Medical College Hospital, where doctors provided emergency treatment. Later, he was shifted to a private diagnostic centre so that a CT scan could be conducted to better understand the extent of his injuries.

Describing the incident, Animesh Mondol, officer-in-charge (investigation) of Sonadanga Model Police Station, said, “Miscreants opened fire targeting his head around 11:45 AM, and he was rushed to Khulna Medical College Hospital in critical condition,” highlighting the seriousness of the attack and the urgency of the medical response.

Mondol later clarified that Sikdar’s condition had improved. He explained that the bullet entered through one side near Sikdar’s ear, pierced the skin, and exited from the other side, narrowly avoiding more severe damage. As a result, doctors confirmed that the injured leader was out of danger, bringing some relief to his supporters.

Meanwhile, Animesh Mandal, Inspector (Investigation) at Sonadanga Police Station, stated that further investigation into the shooting is underway. Police are working to identify those responsible and determine the motive behind the attack.

The National Citizen Party itself is a relatively new political force in Bangladesh. It was formed earlier this year following the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. The party was officially launched on February 28 by the Students Against Discrimination and the Jatiya Nagorik Committee, and it has been described as Bangladesh’s first student-led political party, drawing significant attention from young voters and activists.

This latest shooting comes amid an already tense political atmosphere following the death of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, also known as Usman Hadi, a key youth leader of Bangladesh’s 2024 uprising. Hadi, aged 32, was a senior leader of the student-led platform Inqilab Mancha and a vocal critic of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

Hadi was shot by masked assailants on December 12 while leaving a mosque in central Dhaka. After the attack, he was airlifted to Singapore for advanced medical treatment. Despite efforts by doctors, he later succumbed to his injuries last Thursday, officials confirmed.

Reacting to Hadi’s death, Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus described it as “an irreparable loss for the nation,” announced a day of mourning, and ordered special prayers nationwide, reflecting the scale of public grief and political significance of the loss.

Hadi’s killing triggered strong political reactions across the country. Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Dhaka late Thursday and early Friday last week, demanding justice for the slain youth leader. The protests added to growing fears that political violence is once again escalating, with the shooting of Muhammad Motaleb Sikdar reinforcing concerns about safety and stability during this sensitive period in Bangladesh’s political landscape.