A group of masked assailants hacked to death the wife of a local opposition leader in Tangail after failing to find him on Tuesday night, police said.

The victim, 33-year-old Lili Akter, was the wife of SM Anisur Rahman, also known as Uttam, general secretary of BNP’s Magra Union unit.

The attack occurred around 8:30 pm at West Leon Bakery in Quizbari Bazar, where the couple lived and worked.

Local witnesses told reporters that four to five unidentified men stormed into the bakery asking for Anisur Rahman. When they did not find him, they hacked Lili with sharp weapons and fled.

Residents rushed her to Tangail Sadar Hospital’s emergency department, where doctors pronounced her dead. 

Police later recovered the body and sent it to Tangail General Hospital morgue for post-mortem examination.

The killing has left the area tense, with security heightened.

Tangail Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Tanvir Ahmed said legal steps were being taken over the incident.

SMS/