The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

A local leader of the pro-reform Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) was shot dead by terrorists in front of Nannu Market at Pallabi in the city yesterday.

Witnesses said the attack was launched while Nazrul Islam Chowdhury Montu, 47, well known as Jhut Montu for his cloth trade, was entering a saloon beside the market at Mirpur-11 at about 7:00pm.

He was convener of the Coordination Committee of PDP, floated in the interim period in support of the ongoing reforms, for Mirpur area. "Three gunmen sprayed bullets indiscriminately targeting Montu and tried to flee the scene, leaving him dead on the spot," says a spot account of the shootings that later led to an encounter with police.

"Hearing the gunshots, local people chased the killers. The gunmen opened fire for their safe passage. A team of patrol police also rushed in and retaliated with gunfire to nab the attackers," it adds.

Local people finally caught red-handed two of them and beat them up severely before handing them over to police.

Police also recovered three foreign-made revolvers and nine rounds of bullet from their possession.

The dead body was sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital morgue. The two captured assailants--Jisan Mahmud, 25, and another unidentified one aged about 26--were admitted to DMCH in critical condition.

Meanwhile, PDB chief Ferdous Ahmed Qureshi visited DMCH to see the body of his slain party leader and sympathize with his family members.