Businessman shot after vehicle stopped in Cox's Bazar's Kharulia, sent to Chattogram in critical condition

Miscreants shot a businessman after blocking his moving microbus at Kharulia on the Chattogram-Cox's Bazar highway. He was first taken to Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital in a bullet-hit condition. He was later sent to Chittagong Medical College Hospital in critical condition.

The incident took place on Friday (6 November) at noon in front of a gas pump in the Kharulia area of Cox's Bazar Sadar upazila.

The injured man, Mahmudul Haq (52), is a resident of the Link Road area of Cox's Bazar Sadar. He is a contractor and furniture trader by profession. He lives with his family in the city's Hashemia Madrasa area.

Police and local sources said Mahmudul Haq was travelling towards Ramu in his personal Noah car at noon. When he reached the Kharulia area, six men on three motorcycles blocked his vehicle.

They then fired several rounds at him. As he tried to run away, bullets hit him in the back, waist and other parts of his body.

Mahmudul Haq said he recognised four of the attackers — Zayed, Kitab Ali, Wazed Ali and Abu Naser — all from the Link Road area.

He claimed the attack stemmed from a long-running land dispute. He alleged that those who took part in the attack are residents of the Link Road area and brothers and relatives of Liaquat Ali, a member of Jhilongja Union Parishad and general secretary of the union BNP.

Confirming the incident, Cox's Bazar Sadar Model police station officer-in-charge Sheikh Mohammad Ali said police visited the scene after receiving the news.

The OC said a motorcycle was seized from the scene, and efforts are under way to arrest those involved in the attack.

On the allegation of local BNP leaders' involvement in the attack, the OC said action would be taken after investigation.