A 26-year-old man, identified as Mohammad Rafi Hossain, sustained serious injuries after being shot by a group of unidentified assailants in the Lalbagh area of Dhaka. The incident occurred on the evening of Thursday, 14 May 2026, in the Shahidnagar locality. The victim was promptly rescued and transported to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), where he is currently receiving urgent medical attention for a gunshot wound.
The shooting took place at approximately 20:00 hours near the Beribandh (embankment) area of Shahidnagar’s Lane 3. Rafi Hossain, the son of Taijuddin, resides nearby in Lane 2 of the same neighbourhood. The sudden outbreak of violence has caused significant alarm among the residents of the densely populated Lalbagh district.
Sequence of the Assault
According to Mohammad Sajib, an associate of the victim who witnessed the event and assisted in the hospital transfer, the confrontation began when a group of youths led by an individual named Imon approached him. The group was reportedly searching for a person named Shahin. When Sajib stated that he had no knowledge of Shahin’s whereabouts, the group allegedly began to assault him with punches and kicks.
Seeking assistance, Sajib called for Rafi Hossain to come from his residence to intervene or address the situation. Upon Rafi’s arrival at the scene, the situation escalated instantaneously. Sajib reported that Imon drew a firearm and discharged a round, striking Rafi in the right side of his ribcage. Immediately following the shooting, the assailants fled the scene, disappearing into the narrow alleys of Shahidnagar.
In addition to the primary suspect, Imon, several other individuals were identified by witnesses as being present during the assault, including local youths named Rezaul, Mintu, and Shahabuddin. It is estimated that approximately eight to nine other unidentified persons accompanied the group during the violent encounter.
Victim Profile and Family Response
The victim’s mother, Momena Begum, arrived at the hospital upon hearing the news from her son’s acquaintances. She expressed confusion regarding the motive behind the attack, noting that Rafi is not known to be involved in criminal disputes. According to his mother, Rafi Hossain is an entrepreneur who operates an online business specialising in the design and sale of printed T-shirts.
“I learned from Rafi’s friends that Imon was the one who shot my son,” Momena Begum stated. She confirmed that as of Thursday night, the family remained unaware of any specific grievance or conflict that would have led to such a targeted act of violence against her son.
Medical and Legal Status
The incident was officially documented by the police contingent stationed at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Inspector Mohammad Faruk, the in-charge of the DMCH police camp, confirmed the details of the injury. He stated that the young man arrived with a confirmed gunshot wound to the right ribcage. Medical staff in the emergency department have prioritised his stabilisation, though his condition remains under close observation due to the sensitive nature of the wound location.
The authorities at the Lalbagh Police Station have been formally notified of the shooting. Preliminary reports suggest that police teams have been dispatched to the Shahidnagar area to conduct a forensic sweep of the crime scene and to gather further intelligence on the whereabouts of Imon and his associates.
Under the jurisdiction of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), an investigation is expected to be launched into the illegal possession of firearms and attempted murder. Law enforcement officials typically increase patrols in the Beribandh area following such incidents to prevent further retaliatory violence. No arrests had been officially confirmed at the time of the latest medical update on Thursday night.
