Following the shooting of a National Citizen Party (NCP) leader in Khulna, the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has tightened surveillance and intensified search operations along the 70-kilometre Benapole border to prevent suspects from fleeing to India.

Motareb Shikdar, chief of the NCP and Khulna divisional organiser of its labour wing, was shot around 12:00pm on Monday (December 22) in the Sonadanga area of Khulna city. Assailants reportedly opened fire targeting his head.

Locals rushed him to Khulna Medical College Hospital, where doctors said his condition was critical. Later, on medical advice, he was taken to Sheikhpara City Imaging Centre for a CT scan of his head.

In the aftermath of the attack, BGB intensified patrols and search operations along the Benapole border to block any possible escape routes for the perpetrators.

According to BGB, strict surveillance and extensive search operations are underway across the 70-kilometre border stretch. Security has been reinforced in vulnerable and key points, with additional BGB personnel deployed at Benapole ICP and border-adjacent areas including Amrakhali, Sadipur, Raghunathpur, Ghiba, Shikarpur, Shalkona, Kashipur, Masila, Andulia, Panch Bhulot, Agra Bhulot, Putkhali, Goga, Harishchandrapur and Panchpirtala.

From morning, vehicles and suspected individuals have been subjected to thorough checks in these areas. Border stretches without barbed-wire fencing have effectively been sealed off, BGB said.

Lieutenant Colonel Saifullah Siddiqui, commanding officer of Jessore’s 49 BGB Battalion, said the force remains on highest alert to ensure those involved in the attack on Motareb Shikdar cannot cross the border under any circumstances. “Search operations have been intensified at every border point,” he added.