Three individuals have succumbed to severe burn injuries sustained after an angry mob set fire to the houses of suspects accused of raping and murdering a teenage girl in the Pabna Sadar sub-district. The casualties occurred at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka, where the victims were undergoing emergency medical treatment.
According to police and local sources, the body of the missing fifteen-year-old girl, Riya Khatun, was found packed in a sack in the Padma River at Bharara Union on Wednesday, 3 June. Following a post-mortem examination, her burial took place at her family graveyard on 4 June. Immediately after the funeral, an incensed crowd retaliated by setting fire to the residences of the murder suspects.
Explosion, Arson and Casualties
During the arson attack, a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinder inside one of the targeted properties exploded violently. The blast caused intense flames to spread abruptly, engulfing neighbours and curious bystanders who had gathered to watch or assist in extinguishing the fire. Several individuals sustained critical burn injuries and were initially rushed to Pabna General Hospital before being transferred to the specialised institute in Dhaka due to their deteriorating conditions.
The local police department confirmed that none of the suspects or their family members were inside the properties at the time of the fire, having fled the area to avoid vigilante justice or legal repercussions. Consequently, all those injured or killed were local residents, neighbours, and onlookers.
The identities and specific details of the deceased are presented in the table below:
| Name | Age | Father’s Name | Locality / Address | Time of Death |
| Sapu | 30 | Late Yusuf | New Para, Bharara, Pabna | Afternoon of Monday, 8 June |
| Sumon Sheikh | 25 | Tojir Uddin Sheikh | Purba Raghavpur, Bharara, Pabna | Morning of Tuesday, 9 June |
| Saiful Islam Sabbir | 22 | Shokur Hossain | New Para, Bharara, Pabna | Morning of Tuesday, 9 June |
Judicial Updates and Police Action
The Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Pabna Sadar Police Station, Torikul Islam, verified the deaths of the three individuals under clinical care in Dhaka. He stated that the police department is currently initiating legal proceedings regarding the arson attack and the subsequent fatalities.
Regarding the primary criminal investigation into the death of Riya Khatun, the Pabna Sadar Police have arrested three individuals, including the prime suspect identified as Naim. The arrested individuals have formally confessed to the rape and strangulation of the teenager during their depositions before the court. Law enforcement authorities have maintained a presence in the locality to prevent further civil unrest.