Two people were shot dead, and two others sustained bullet injuries in a dispute over sand extraction in Chandanpura Baklia, Chattogram, early Saturday morning (March 29).
The deceased have been identified as Md. Abdullah and private car driver Manik. One of the injured, Robin, is receiving treatment at Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH), while another, Hridoy, is in police custody.
According to law enforcement and local sources, the violence erupted between the Chhota Sajjad and Sarwar groups, who have long been at odds over sand extraction rights. The conflict escalated following reports that Sarwar’s group allegedly assisted authorities in arresting Chhota Sajjad.
While returning from the sand extraction site, members of the Sajjad group reportedly ambushed Sarwar’s group, chasing their private car through the city’s Rajakhali area.
Eyewitnesses told BanglaNews that four to five motorcycles pursued the private car, firing multiple shots. Gunfire was exchanged, with bullets striking the vehicle and its occupants.
As the chase continued into Chandanpura, near Baklia X-road under Chawkbazar Police Station, gunmen opened fire at close range, hitting the driver and a front-seat passenger. The injured were rushed to CMCH, where doctors declared two dead on arrival.
Hridoy, one of the passengers in the private car, told BanglaNews that Abdullah and six others had traveled to the Balumahal sand extraction site on the banks of the Karnaphuli River.
“We left around 2:15 am and were chased by four to five motorcycles. They fired at us multiple times along the way. When we reached Chandanpura X-road, Chhota Sajjad’s second-in-command, Hasan, and Khorshed, opened fire. The driver and the passenger next to him were shot. I survived by lying down in the back seat but was hit in the hand. Robin, who was also in the car, was shot. Emon and Sarwar managed to flee,” he said.
Upon reaching the location, law enforcement found the bullet-ridden private car (Chattogram Metro-G 12-9068). The vehicle had three bullet holes in the rear windshield and multiple bullet marks on the back. Blood stained both the driver’s and passenger’s seats, and documents were scattered inside.
Chawkbazar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Jahedul Kabir confirmed the attack, saying that a group of motorcycle riders had chased the private car from Rajakhali, leading to the fatal shooting in Chandanpura.
“Two people were killed in the shooting. Legal proceedings are underway,” he said.
At Chittagong Medical College Hospital, the morgue held the bodies of the deceased, while distraught relatives gathered outside, mourning their loss.
BDST: 1121 HRS, MAR 30, 2025
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