Hindu Businessman and Journalist Shot Dead in Bangladesh’s Jashore

Jashore, Bangladesh | January 6, 2026 A Hindu businessman and journalist, Rana Pratap Bairagi, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Bangladesh’s Jashore region on Monday evening, triggering fresh concerns amid a series of violent incidents targeting members of the Hindu community in the country. While authorities have not yet confirmed any communal motive behind the killing, the incident comes at a time when multiple crimes against Hindus have been reported in recent weeks. According to police, the victim was 38 years old and was shot multiple times in the head at close range. The attackers managed to escape immediately after the incident. Rana Pratap Bairagi died on the spot, officials said. Over the past three weeks, at least five members of Bangladesh’s Hindu community, including Bairagi, have been killed in separate violent incidents, raising alarm among minority groups and human rights observers. However, investigators have stated that it is too early to link the killing directly to communal violence. Rana Pratap Bairagi was a resident of Arua village in Keshabpur upazila of Jashore district. Apart from being a businessman, he was actively involved in journalism. Police said he owned an ice-making factory located in Kopaliya Bazar under the Monirampur area. He also served as the acting editor of a local newspaper, *Dainik BD Khabar*, which is published from Narail. Police records indicate that Bairagi had one case registered against him at Abhaynagar police station and three cases at Keshabpur police station. However, details regarding the nature of these cases were not immediately available. Describing the incident, police said that on Monday around 5:45 pm, Rana Pratap Bairagi was present at his ice factory in Kopaliya market when three men arrived on a motorcycle. The assailants allegedly called him out of the factory and took him to a narrow alley on the western side of the market. After a brief exchange, they opened fire, shooting him in the head several times before fleeing the scene. Eyewitnesses told local media that panic spread quickly across the market following the shooting. Monirampur police station officer-in-charge Md Raziullah Khan said the motive behind the murder remains unclear and a detailed investigation is underway. He added that efforts are being made to identify and arrest those responsible, and legal proceedings have been initiated. [06/01, 13:19] Rimpa♥️: Hindu Businessman and Local Journalist Rana Pratap Bairagi Shot Dead in Bangladesh’s Jashore A 38-year-old Hindu businessman and journalist was brutally shot dead by unknown attackers in Bangladesh’s Jashore region on Monday evening, sending shockwaves through the area. The victim, identified as Rana Pratap Bairagi, was killed in a targeted firing, though police have said the exact motive behind the crime is yet to be established. Officials confirmed that the assailants shot Bairagi multiple times in the head at close range before fleeing the scene. He died instantly. While authorities have not officially linked the murder to communal violence, the incident has drawn attention as it follows a series of violent crimes against members of the Hindu community in the country. In the last three weeks alone, five Hindus, including Bairagi, have been killed in separate incidents. Rana Pratap Bairagi was a resident of Arua village in Keshabpur upazila of Jashore district. He was known locally as a businessman, owning an ice manufacturing unit in Kopaliya Bazar under the Monirampur area. Alongside his business activities, he was also associated with journalism and was serving as the acting editor of the local daily Dainik BD Khabar, which is published from Narail. According to police records, a total of four cases were registered against him—one at Abhaynagar police station and three at Keshabpur police station. Authorities said further details related to these cases are being verified. Police said the incident occurred around 5:45 pm when Bairagi was present at his ice factory in Kopaliya market. Three men arrived at the spot on a motorcycle and called him outside. They reportedly took him to a nearby alley on the western side of the market, where an altercation followed. Moments later, the attackers opened fire, killing him on the spot, and escaped immediately. Eyewitnesses told local media that fear and panic spread rapidly across the market after the shooting. Monirampur police station officer-in-charge Md Raziullah Khan stated that the investigation is ongoing and all possible angles are being examined. He added that legal action has been initiated and efforts are underway to identify and arrest those involved.