As the 13th parliamentary election approaches, public panic is mounting across Bangladesh amid a surge in target killings and the use of illegal firearms, leaving potential candidates and political parties increasingly fearful. Earlier, on December 1, autorickshaw driver Pappu Sheikh was shot dead in Jatrabari for obstructing drug dealing. On the same day, two others were shot dead in Raozan of Chattogram and Monirampur of Jashore. “You cannot show that election candidates are being targeted.”Asked about steps to curb target killings ahead of the election, the IGP said preventing such crimes is extremely difficult. “If done properly, incidents like target killings would significantly decline.”Warning of election-related risks, he said such killings could increase before and after the polls.

Source: Dhaka Tribune January 12, 2026 18:50 UTC