A local BNP leader was shot dead by miscreants in Chandraganj area of Lakshmipur on Saturday night in what is believed to be a conflict over establishing dominance in the area.

The victim Abul Kalam Zahir, 50, was the general secretary of Ward No. 8 BNP under the Chandraganj Union unit.

The attack took place around 8:30 pm in Paschim Latifpur village of Chandraganj Union under Sadar Upazila.

Locals said miscreants shot Zahir and left him on the road near Mustafa Shop in Paschim Latifpur. He died on the spot.

Residents claimed that Zahir had earlier been involved in drug and soil trading but had recently been distancing himself from those activities.

It is suspected that rivals killed him over a power struggle in the locality. Police also recovered bullet shells from the scene.

Faizul Azim, officer-in-charge (OC) of Chandraganj Police Station, said they rushed to the spot after receiving information.

He added that the motive behind the killing is yet to be determined.