A fatal shooting occurred in the capital’s New Market area on the evening of Tuesday, 28 April 2026, resulting in the death of an unidentified male. The incident took place at approximately 8:00 pm in the Shahnewaz Hall Bottola district, a high-traffic zone located under the jurisdiction of the New Market Police Station. The brazen nature of the attack, occurring in a public space adjacent to prominent university residences and commercial hubs, has caused significant tension within the local community.
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Account of the Armed Assault
According to preliminary findings and statements from eyewitnesses, the victim—estimated to be between 30 and 35 years of age—was subjected to a targeted attack. Mezbah, a pedestrian who witnessed the event and later assisted in transporting the victim to the hospital, provided a detailed testimony of the sequence of events. He reported that the victim was standing near Gate 1 of Shahid Shahnewaz Hall when two assailants approached on a motorcycle.
The attackers did not dismount from their vehicle. Instead, they discharged several rounds at close range before fleeing the scene at high speed. The eyewitness account specifies that the assailants fired three rounds into the victim’s head, one into his left hand, and another into the left axilla (the underarm area). The efficiency and speed of the execution suggest a premeditated strike, with the perpetrators successfully evading immediate apprehension by disappearing into the evening traffic.
Medical Intervention and Autopsy Findings
Immediately following the assault, local bystanders and passers-by moved to assist the critically wounded individual. He was rushed to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) in an unconscious state. However, the severity of the injuries proved fatal; upon arrival, the duty doctors conducted an examination and officially pronounced him dead.
Medical staff at DMCH confirmed that the deceased had sustained five high-velocity gunshot wounds. The medical findings corroborated the eyewitness testimony, identifying multiple entry wounds in the cranium and the axillary region. Given the nature of the wounds to the head, medical experts indicated that the victim likely succumbed to his injuries almost instantaneously.
Progress of the Police Investigation
Inspector Mohammad Faruk, the officer-in-charge of the DMCH Police Camp, formally confirmed the casualty to the press. He stated that the police were notified as soon as the victim was brought to the emergency ward. Currently, the identity of the deceased remains unknown, as no form of identification was recovered from the scene or the victim’s clothing. Furthermore, no family members or acquaintances have yet arrived at the hospital to claim the body.
The New Market Police have cordoned off the area around Shahnewaz Hall Bottola to conduct a forensic sweep. Investigating officers are focused on recovering spent shell casings and are in the process of reviewing CCTV footage from nearby commercial establishments and university gate security cameras to identify the motorcycle’s registration number and the physical descriptions of the gunmen.
Heightened Security and Civic Impact
The location of the shooting is particularly sensitive due to its proximity to the University of Dhaka dormitories and the New Market shopping complex, one of the city’s most vital economic centres. A violent homicide in such a populous area during peak evening hours has raised urgent questions regarding public safety and the monitoring of motorised traffic in the capital.
The body of the victim has been transferred to the DMCH morgue for a mandatory post-mortem examination. Law enforcement agencies are currently working on multiple leads to determine the motive behind the killing, exploring potential links to local disputes or organised crime. The New Market Police have urged any members of the public who may recognise the victim’s description or who witnessed the motorcycle’s flight path to come forward and assist with the ongoing homicide investigation.