Driver killed as arsonists set parked bus ablaze in Faridpur

A bus driver sleeping inside a parked local bus was killed after unidentified miscreants set the vehicle on fire in the Goalchamot area of Faridpur town early Tuesday.

The deceased was identified as Md Kalachan Sheikh, 60, son of Nuruddin Sheikh of Dignagar village in Muksudpur upazila of Gopalganj.

The incident occurred around 2:00am on Tuesday near Goalchamot New Bus Terminal.

According to police and local sources, a local bus of Kishore-Tanoy Paribahan, operating on the Faridpur-Tekarhat-Madaripur route, was parked on the road in front of Goalchamot New Bus Terminal. Miscreants allegedly set the bus on fire in the dead of night and fled the scene.

The flames quickly engulfed the entire bus. On receiving information, firefighters rushed to the spot and brought the blaze under control.

Later, Kalachan was rescued from inside the bus and taken to Faridpur Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

Senior Station Officer of Faridpur Fire Service Sribas Baroi said firefighters reached the scene around 3:00am after receiving information and brought the fire under control.

Md Saddam Hossain, ward master of Faridpur Medical College Hospital, said a man identified as Kalachan Sheikh was brought to the hospital dead. Preliminary findings suggest that he died of breathing difficulties caused by smoke inhalation.

The body has been kept at the hospital morgue.

Officer-in-Charge of Faridpur Kotwali Police Station Mahmudul Hasan said it was not yet clear who had set the bus on fire.

He said police visited the scene immediately after receiving the information and recovered the victim's body.

Police have launched an investigation to identify those responsible and bring them to justice. The law and order situation in the area remains normal.