A young woman lost her right hand above the wrist after allegedly being attacked with a sharp weapon by her boyfriend at her home in Meherpur town. Her parents were also injured when they rushed to protect their daughter during the assault.

The incident took place at around 1.30am on Wednesday, following Tuesday night, at the residence of electronics trader Selim Hossain in the Lord Market area of Meherpur town. The alleged attacker, identified as Shawon, is the son of hotel businessman Abu Taleb of Mallikpara in the town.

The injured victims have been identified as Selim Hossain, his wife Rebeka Khatun and their daughter Smriti Akter. All three were taken to Meherpur 250-Bed General Hospital in a critical condition after the attack. As their condition reportedly deteriorated, they were later referred to Dhaka for advanced medical treatment.

According to local residents, Shawon and Smriti had been in a romantic relationship. It was not immediately clear whether the pair had recently been involved in a dispute or whether any disagreement preceded the attack. Local people, however, suspect that the incident may have been connected to their relationship.

Police and local sources said Shawon entered the family home during the night and allegedly attacked Smriti with a sharp weapon. At one point, he struck her so severely that her right hand was severed above the wrist.

Hearing their daughter’s screams, her parents came out of an adjoining room and attempted to intervene. The attacker allegedly assaulted both of them before fleeing the scene.

The injured family members were subsequently rescued by local residents and taken to hospital. News of the incident prompted several teams from Meherpur Sadar Police Station to visit the scene. Police then began searching for the accused, who had fled shortly after the attack.

Meherpur Sadar Police Station officer-in-charge Humayun Kabir confirmed the incident and said officers were conducting an operation to arrest Shawon. Police are also investigating the circumstances surrounding the attack, including whether there had been a previous dispute between the accused and the victim.

The incident has caused considerable concern in the area, particularly because the attack allegedly took place inside the family’s home in the middle of the night. The investigation is expected to establish what led to the assault and whether any other factors were involved.

At present, Shawon remains at large, while police efforts to locate and arrest him are continuing.