The Tejturi Bazar area of the capital turned into a scene of carnage on Wednesday night, 7 January 2026, as unidentified gunmen assassinated a high-ranking leader of the Jatiyatabadi Swechasebak Dal, the volunteer wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The targeted attack, which occurred in the heart of the busy Tejgaon commercial district, has sparked widespread fear and political unrest across the city.
Execution in the Alleyway
The victim, Azizur Rahman (widely known as Musabbir), was the former General Secretary of the Dhaka Metropolitan North unit of the Swechasebak Dal. According to local witnesses, the incident unfolded at approximately 8:30 pm in the narrow thoroughfare situated directly behind the popular Star Kabab restaurant.
Azizur Rahman was reportedly engaged in a conversation with a group of associates when a band of assailants arrived on motorcycles. Without warning, the attackers opened fire indiscriminately into the group before accelerating away through the labyrinthine alleys of Tejturi Bazar.
The primary target, Azizur, sustained a catastrophic gunshot wound to the abdomen. Despite being rushed to a private hospital in Panthapath by bystanders, he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. A second victim, Abu Sufian, the General Secretary of the Karwan Bazar Van Owners’ Association, was also critically wounded in the volley of gunfire. He is currently battling for his life at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).
Table: Overview of the Tejgaon Assassination
| Category | Incident Detail |
| Primary Deceased | Azizur Rahman (Musabbir) |
| Political Affiliation | Former Gen. Sec., Dhaka North Swechasebak Dal |
| Injured Party | Abu Sufian (Gen. Sec., Van Owners’ Association) |
| Incident Time | Wednesday, 7 January 2026, 20:30 |
| Location | Tejturi Bazar (Star Kabab Alley), Tejgaon |
| Weaponry used | Firearms (Assailants on motorcycles) |
| Current Status | Police investigation ongoing; Army deployed for order |
Street Protests and Military Intervention
The assassination triggered a volatile reaction from local BNP activists and residents. Following the shooting, an incensed crowd marched to the SAARC Fountain at the Karwan Bazar intersection, establishing a road blockade that paralysed one of Dhaka’s most critical transport hubs.
The standoff lasted for nearly two hours, causing immense tailbacks for commuters. Order was only restored at approximately 10:30 pm when the Bangladesh Army arrived at the scene to assist local police in dispersing the protesters and clearing the arterial road for traffic.
Investigative Progress
Fazlul Karim, the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of the Tejgaon Zone, confirmed that Azizur’s body has been moved to the DMCH morgue for an autopsy. “The nature of the attack suggests a pre-planned assassination,” ADC Karim noted. Investigators are currently scouring the area for CCTV footage to identify the motorcycle used in the escape.
Azizur Rahman was a veteran political organiser who had been arrested multiple times during the tenure of the previous Awami League government. His death is seen by many as a significant blow to the local leadership of the BNP’s volunteer wing.