Journalist Shot Dead in Bangladesh; Police Launch Manhunt

Journalist Lutfuzzaman Alif Fakir was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Durgapur upazila of Netrokona district in north-eastern Bangladesh on 15 October, on Thursday evening, police said.

The attack took place at around 8:15 p.m. local time at Utrail Bazar, along the Shamganj-Birishiri road in Durgapur municipality. Police have launched an operation to arrest those responsible for the killing.

Fakir worked as the Netrokona correspondent for private television channel Ruposhi Bangla. He also operated a Facebook page called ''Detective Article.''

Mr. Fakir was originally from the Pogla area of Kalmakanda upazila, however, he was living at his in-laws’ home in Birishiri, Durgapur.

According to eyewitnesses and police, Fakir was sitting at a shop in Utrail Bazar at around 8 p.m. when two men arrived on a motorcycle and opened fire on him several times. The attackers fled on the motorcycle as local residents approached.

Residents attempted to rescue the journalist and take him to a local health complex, but he died before reaching the facility.

Khandaker Shaker Ahmed Khan, officer-in-charge of Durgapur Police Station, said Fakir had sustained five gunshot wounds to different parts of his body, including his head, neck and chest.

Police were investigating the motive for the killing, the officer said.

Netrokona Superintendent of Police Mohammad Tariqul Islam was heading to the scene following the incident. He said a special operation had been launched to apprehend the suspects.

Previous attack raises questions

Fakir had reportedly been attacked on November 10, 2026, near the Teribazar ferry terminal on the Someshwari River in Durgapur upazila. According to the available account, assailants hacked and injured him. When a colleague attempted to intervene, the attackers threatened and chased the colleague with weapons.

Fakir was reportedly active on social media, where he regularly wrote about drug smuggling. However, authorities had not established whether his reporting on the issue was connected to the earlier assault or Thursday’s killing.

Police were continuing their investigation, and no confirmed link between the two attacks had been established.