NETROKONA — The official vehicle assigned to Masum Mostafa, the Member of Parliament for the Netrokona-5 (Purbadhala) constituency and a representative of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, was subjected to a targeted attack and significant vandalism on Friday evening. Although the vehicle sustained extensive structural damage, the Member of Parliament escaped physical injury as he was not inside the transport at the precise moment of the assault.
The incident occurred on 24 April 2026, in the Purbadhala sub-district. According to verified police reports and witness testimonies, the attack took place while the vehicle was being positioned for refuelling at a local petrol station.
Detailed Circumstances of the Incident
The confrontation transpired on Friday evening when the Member of Parliament’s vehicle arrived at the Giripath Filling Station in Purbadhala to procure fuel. Reports indicate that Masum Mostafa had alighted from the vehicle shortly before its arrival at the station and was positioned at a significant distance from the pumps, observing from the periphery.
As the driver manoeuvred the car into the premises of the filling station to commence refuelling, a group of unidentified individuals initiated the assault. The perpetrators targeted the stationary vehicle, utilising blunt objects to shatter the glass and dent the bodywork. The intensity of the vandalism resulted in what has been described as “severe damage” to the Member of Parliament’s transport.
Fortunately, because the Member of Parliament was located away from the car during the incursion, he remained unharmed. The driver’s condition immediately following the onset of the attack has not been detailed in initial reports, though the primary focus of the vandals appeared to be the destruction of the property associated with the representative.
Law Enforcement Response and Official Statements
Upon receiving intelligence regarding the unfolding violence at the petrol station, a contingent from the Purbadhala Police Station was immediately dispatched to the scene. Officers secured the perimeter and successfully extracted Masum Mostafa from the vicinity, escorting him to a secure location to ensure his continued safety.
Didarul Islam, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Purbadhala Police Station, officially confirmed the veracity of the attack. Speaking to the press later that evening, the OC acknowledged the damage sustained by the vehicle and the necessary intervention by law enforcement.
“I can confirm that the vehicle of the Member of Parliament was attacked and vandalised at the filling station. We deployed personnel to the site immediately to manage the situation and ensure the safety of the MP,” stated OC Didarul Islam.
The Officer-in-Charge further noted that while the preliminary facts of the attack are established, a comprehensive investigation is underway to identify the assailants and determine the motive behind the targeted vandalism. He indicated that further specific details regarding the suspects and the subsequent legal actions would be disclosed following a thorough evidentiary review and the filing of a formal First Information Report (FIR).
Local Political Context and Security Implications
Netrokona-5, which comprises the Purbadhala Upazila, is a constituency characterised by a complex and often volatile political landscape. The involvement of a high-ranking official from Jamaat-e-Islami adds a layer of gravity to the event, given the historical and regulatory challenges the party has faced within the Bangladeshi political system. Attacks on elected representatives are treated as high-priority matters by the authorities due to the potential for such incidents to incite broader civil unrest or retaliatory violence.
The Giripath Filling Station remained closed for a duration following the incident as police conducted their initial forensic sweep. Local authorities have since increased patrols throughout the Purbadhala area to prevent further disturbances. As of Friday night, no formal arrests had been announced, although police have reportedly begun reviewing closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage from the filling station and surrounding businesses to identify the perpetrators.
The Member of Parliament has not yet issued a formal public statement regarding the incident, though associates suggest that a briefing may be held following the conclusion of the preliminary police inquiry. This incident represents a notable breach of security for an elected official within the Netrokona district during the current administrative term, prompting calls for reviewed protection protocols for parliamentary members in the region.