Rohingya Man Accused of Killing Wife and Young Son

A Rohingya man has been accused of brutally killing his wife and five-year-old son following an alleged domestic dispute inside the Kutupalong Rohingya refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar. A second child, the couple’s teenage son, sustained life-threatening injuries in the same attack and is currently receiving treatment at Cox’s Bazar District Hospital. The suspect fled immediately after the incident, prompting an ongoing manhunt by law enforcement authorities.

The fatal attack took place at around 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday night in Block B of Camp 6 at the Kutupalong refugee settlement in Ukhiya, one of the world’s largest refugee camps.

The deceased have been identified as 30-year-old Shahida Nur, also known as Sufia, and her five-year-old son, Mohammad Shamim. Their elder son, 14-year-old Mohammad Afsar, also known as Bappi, survived the attack but remains in critical condition under medical care.

According to local sources, a heated argument reportedly broke out between the husband and wife over a family matter shortly before the violence erupted. Investigators believe the confrontation escalated dramatically, leading the suspect, identified as Ehsanul Haque, to allegedly attack his wife with a sharp machete-like weapon. He is also accused of assaulting both of their sons during the incident.

Shahida Nur and young Shamim died at the scene from their injuries. Afsar, despite suffering severe wounds, survived and was rescued by neighbours who responded after hearing desperate cries for help.

Mohammad Hossain, a community leader, or majhi, within the Kutupalong camp, said nearby residents rushed to the family’s shelter after hearing screams in the middle of the night. They found Afsar seriously injured and immediately arranged for his transfer to the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) hospital operating inside the camp. After receiving emergency treatment there, doctors referred him to Cox’s Bazar District Hospital because of the seriousness of his condition.

The suspect reportedly fled the camp immediately after the attack. Police and other security agencies have launched a search operation to locate and arrest him. Security patrols and surveillance have also been intensified throughout the camp as part of the investigation.

The officer-in-charge of Ukhiya Police Station, Mujibur Rahman, confirmed that the bodies of the deceased had been recovered and sent to the morgue at Cox’s Bazar District Hospital for post-mortem examinations. He said investigators are working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the killings while continuing efforts to apprehend the fugitive suspect as quickly as possible.

The Kutupalong refugee settlement, located in Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar district, accommodates hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees who fled violence in neighbouring Myanmar. The densely populated camps face persistent challenges, including overcrowding, limited economic opportunities, social tensions and security concerns. Although most residents live peacefully, incidents involving domestic violence, organised crime and interpersonal disputes occasionally occur, requiring intervention by police, camp authorities and humanitarian organisations.

The killings have sent shockwaves through the refugee community, with many residents expressing grief and fear over the tragedy. Community members have urged the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation, bring the suspect to justice without delay and ensure the injured teenager receives the specialised medical treatment needed for his recovery.