A 16-year old schoolgirl was stabbed repeatedly outside her home in Kushtia town in Bangladesh on November 9 and seriously injured. Zakia Sultana allegedly attacked by a fellow school student after harassment. Police arrested the accused (Emon or Imon according to local media reports) during a late night operation on November 10.
The incident took place in Thana Para area of Kushtia after Zakia came home from her Secondary School Certificate (SSC) test examination. She was standing near the entrance of her rented house and waiting for the gate to be opened when the accused allegedly came from behind and attacked her with a sharp knife.
The incident went viral after CCTV footage of the attack was posted on social media. Zakia was taken to Kushtia 250-bed General Hospital for treatment of multiple injuries.
What Happened to Zakia Sultana in Kushtia?
According to Bangladeshi media outlets, the attack took place at 1:10 pm on November 9 near Crescent Club in Thana Para neighbourhood of Kushtia.
Zakia had come back from school after appearing for SSC test examination when she was allegedly pushed by a young man in black shirt from behind outside her house.
The accused reportedly stabbed her repeatedly with a knife before fleeing from the spot. He left the weapon behind when people who heard her screams came running towards him.
في بنغلاديش لم يتقبل الطالب بالصف العاشر ايمن رفض زكيه سلطانه البالغة من العمر ١٦ عامًا والطالبه بالصف العاشر ايضا له لم يتقبل الرفض فقرر الانتقام وطاردها وانهال عليها ط زكيه حالتها مستقره الان ومازالت الشرطة تبحث عن ايمن https://t.co/5q4ibd0E1V
— ABDULRHMAN🚔| عبدالرحمن (@Aaaxxxx) November 9, 2026
People in the neighbourhood came to the student’s aid and took her to hospital for emergency medical care.
CCTV footage of the attack was later posted online and showed the attacker coming towards Zakia, hitting her repeatedly before running off.
Who Is the Accused Student?
Bangladeshi media reported that the accused was Emon (also spelt Imon) a Class 10 student of Sunup School and College in Kushtia.
He met Zakia while taking private coaching classes. Both were in Class 10, local reports said.
The victim’s family said that Emon had been harassing Zakia for a long time and they told his family members about it. The harassment stopped temporarily then.
Zakia’s family suspect the attack was revenge because they had complained about his behaviour.
Her mother Sumi Akter told The Business Standard that the accused had been troubling her daughter for a long time. She alleged that it was done to kill Zakia and demanded justice.
The alleged motive is still part of the investigation and should not be treated as a final judicial finding.
Zakia Sultana's Health Condition
Zakia had wounds to her hands and other parts of her body.
Doctors at Kushtia 250-bed General Hospital gave emergency treatment. Hospital physician Dr Iqbal Hasan told The Daily Star the student was injured with a sharp weapon and he is out of danger.
She was under medical care after the attack.
The incident has brought up safety issues for schoolgirls and the seriousness of harassment against young students.
Police Arrest Accused Student Emon
The accused fled after the attack and went into hiding. Kushtia Model Police Station carried out an operation to find him. Police teams were searching different places.
Police arrested Emon at 1 am on November 10 from his maternal uncle’s house in Patikabari area of Kushtia Sadar Upazila (Dhaka Post and other Bangladeshi media reports).
The arrest was confirmed by Kushtia Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Zakir Hossain.
Zakia’s father Mohammad Zakaria lodged a complaint with Kushtia Model Police Station after the incident. Bangladeshi media also reported that case was registered against accused.
Police should also give further details about the investigation and legal proceedings.
Incident Highlights Concerns Over Harassment and Student Safety
The attack has focused attention on the risks that young girls face when harassed repeatedly in schools and coaching environments.
The case also reminds us that complaints need to be taken seriously when students report unwanted behaviour. Families, schools and educational institutions have an important role to play in responding to harassment and making sure students can seek help without fear.
The attack on Zakia shows what harassment can do but the police investigation and the legal process will have to establish the full circumstances as well as motive of the accused.
Now the accused is in police custody and Zakia is getting medical attention. It has moved into investigation and prosecution stage now.
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