2 killed over market lease dispute in Pabna

The incident took place around 7pm at Pushpapara Bazar in Atai kula police station area of Pabna Sadar upazila.

The deceased were identified as Abdus Salam Haji, 55, the leaseholder of Pushpapara Haat, and his associate Ripon Hossain, 50. Both were residents of Dharmagram village in Atai kula.

According to police and local sources, a dispute had been ongoing between two groups over the lease of Pushpapara Haat.

Salam Haji was sitting with his associates in the market's office room when several masked men arrived, opened fire on them and fled the scene, the sources said.

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Locals rescued the victims and rushed them to Pabna General Hospital, where on-duty doctors declared Salam Haji and Ripon dead.

Pabna Superintendent of Police Abu Ashraf confirmed the deaths, saying the two groups had been involved in a dispute over the market lease and the shooting was believed to have stemmed from that conflict.

Police reached the scene after receiving the report and are working to identify those involved in the killings, he said, adding that further details would be provided later.