Bangladesh is on edge once again following a targeted attack on Muhammad Motaleb Sikder, a senior leader of the National Citizen Party (NCP). The shooting occurred in broad daylight in the southwestern city of Khulna, marking the second high-profile attack on a youth leader associated with the "July Uprising" within a single month.
The Attack in Khulna
Around 11:45 AM on Monday, unidentified gunmen opened fire at Motaleb Sikder near Gazi Medical College Hospital in the Sonadanga area. Sikder, 42, was reportedly making final preparations for a divisional labor rally scheduled by the party's labor wing, Jatiya Sramik Shakti, when the assailants targeted his head.
Initially reported to be in critical condition, hospital sources later confirmed that Sikder miraculously survived. The bullet reportedly entered through one side of his ear and exited through the other, narrowly missing vital brain tissue. He is currently being treated at Khulna Medical College Hospital and is said to be out of danger.
Who is Motaleb Sikder?
Motaleb Sikder is a heavyweight in Bangladesh's emerging political landscape:
- Political Role: He serves as the Khulna Divisional Chief of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and is the central coordinator of its labor wing.
- Movement History: Like many in the NCP, Sikder played a significant role in the student-led protests of 2024 that led to the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
- Influence: He is known as a key organizer in the Khulna region, mobilizing youth and labor fronts for the upcoming general elections scheduled for February 2026.
Echoes of the Osman Hadi Killing
The attack on Sikder follows a chillingly similar pattern to the assassination of Sharif Osman Hadi, the spokesperson for Inqilab Mancha. Hadi was shot in the head by masked gunmen on December 12 in Dhaka's Bijoynagar area while campaigning for the elections. Despite being airlifted to Singapore for advanced treatment, Hadi succumbed to his injuries on December 18.
Hadi’s death triggered nationwide mourning and sparked violent protests, with supporters accusing "external forces" and pro-Awami League elements of trying to silence the leaders of the 2024 revolution.
Government Response
Interim leader Muhammad Yunus has instructed law enforcement agencies to take immediate action. Home Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury stated that no stone will be left unturned to capture the perpetrators. However, with two leaders shot in the head in less than two weeks, fears are growing over a "hit-list" targeting the faces of the student-led uprising.
