A journalist was shot dead by unidentified assailants while sitting at a shop in Netrokona’s Durgapur upazila on Thursday night. The victim was Lutfuzzaman Alif Fakir, the Netrokona correspondent for the private Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) channel Ruposhi Bangla.
How the Attack Unfolded
The shooting took place around 8:15 pm at Uttarail Bazar on the Shyamganj-Birishiri Road. Eyewitnesses and police said two men arrived on a motorcycle, fired several shots at Alif and fled. Locals rushed to the spot, but the attackers had already escaped. Alif was taken to Durgapur Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him dead.
What Police Have Said
Durgapur Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Khandkar Shaker Ahmed Khan said five bullet wounds were found on Alif’s body, including his head, neck and chest. Police suspect the killing was planned and are conducting operations to arrest those involved. Netrokona Superintendent of Police Md Tariqul Islam went to the scene after hearing the news. So far, police have not identified suspects or a motive.
Who Was Alif Fakir?
Alif’s family home is in Sunai village of Pogla union in Kalmakanda upazila. Besides his work for Ruposhi Bangla, he ran a Facebook page called “Detective Article”, where he wrote about alleged irregularities and crimes.
An Earlier Attack
This was not the first time Alif was targeted. On 10 November last year, assailants with sharp weapons attacked and injured him near Teribazar Ghat on the Someshwari river. A colleague who tried to intervene was chased away at gunpoint. His death comes about 11 months after that attack.
Questions That Remain
Several questions are still open. Who were the two riders? Was the killing linked to Alif’s reporting or to his Facebook page? Was the earlier attack connected? Police say the investigation is under way, and journalists’ groups will likely press for a quick, transparent probe.
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