Shafiul: Priest murderer before Sholakia attacker
It is the same Shafiul Alam who murdered a Hindu priest in Panchagarh earlier in February this year who reappeared to attack Sholakia Eidgah on Eid day, police say.
His name was on the charge sheet that police filed on June 28 this year over the killing of Jogeswar Dasadhikari, our Thakurgaon correspondent reports quoting case papers.
READ MORE: Eid Day Attack at Sholakia
Aged around 20, he was mentioned as Shafiul Alam in the murder charge sheet, but identified as Saiful Islam alias Abu Muktadim when held wounded from Sholakia attack spot.
The man, police says, goes by all the names mentioned above.
“He is an accused of four other killing cases,” said Benazir Ahmed, director general of elite force Rapid Action Battalion (Rab), at a press briefing held in the capital this afternoon.
PRIEST KILLING IN PANCHAGARH
Hindu Priest Jogeswar was hacked to death in the district’s Debiganj upazila on February 21. Islamic State reportedly claimed responsibility of the murder.
The murder’s charge sheet says one Razibul Islam Mollah, 25, and Shafiul entered the Sri Sri Sonto Gaurio monastery at 6:45am. Razibul hacked the priest with a machete.
READ MORE: Priest killed, devotee shot in Panchagarh
Later both opened fire from pistol when people tried to come in aid of the priest. “It is clear that Shafiul was involved with the killing directly,” said Investigation Officer Aiub Ali.
Giasuddin Ahmed, superintendent of Panchagarh police, said Shafiul was implicated in three cases filed with Debiganj Police Station including priest murder at that time.
SHOLAKIA ATTACK AHEAD OF EID PRAYERS
Assailants blasted several bombs and attacked police with sharp weapons when the law enforcers were frisking at the gates of Sholakia Eidgah ahead of Eid congregation.
Sholakia heralds the pride of hosting the largest Eid congregation in Bangladesh each year.
Four people – two policemen, an innocent woman and an assailant – were killed in confrontation. Shafiul, identified as Saiful, was held from the spot in a bullet-hit condition.
A machete was found from those detained from the spot, police had said.
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