Church guard attacked in Pabna

Unknown assailants hacked an on-duty night guard of a church in Pabna's Chatmohar early yesterday.

The victim, Gilbert D'Costa, 65, of Lowtia village in the upazila, has been working at the Mathurapur Catholic Church for the last eight years, said his family.

He was now undergoing treatment at Pabna Medical College Hospital. His condition was critical.

Police detained three people for their alleged involvement in the attack. They suspect that previous enmity might be the reason behind the attack.

Around 2:30am, three attackers swooped on the night guard near the church's gate, said Father of the church, Uttom Rosario.

"The attackers forced him to give them the keys of the rooms of the Father and the Sister of the church. As he refused, the attackers hacked Gilbert mercilessly to kill him," Uttom told The Daily Star, quoting the victim.

Hearing his screams, they rushed to the spot. Sensing their presence, the attackers fled the spot, he said.

Ahsan Habib, officer-in-charge of Chatmohar Police Station, said based on Gilbert's information, police detained three people Rajib Hossain, 18, Murad Hossain, 17, and Farid Hossain, 18, of Lowtia village.

The police official added that the attackers had a "previous enmity" with the victim for protesting the stalking of his niece.

Talking to this correspondent, Bakul D'Costa, brother of the victim, contradicted the police claim. He said why the attackers would ask for the keys if they wanted to take revenge on his brother.

Bokul also demanded a proper investigation into the incident.

Uttom said Christians in Chatmohar were worried over such a criminal attack as the minority groups were under threats of militant attack.

Jihadul Kabir, superintendent of Pabna police, dismissed the allegation of militant attack. But police were investigating the incident, he said.

Additional police were deployed near the church.