Hindu journalist shot in the Head By men on bike in Bangladesh

In another disturbing case of violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, a 45-year-old businessman, who also served as the acting editor of a local newspaper, was shot dead by unidentified men. The victim, Rana Pratap, was reportedly called out of his ice factory and taken to a nearby alley, where the assailants shot him in the head.

Local sources claim Pratap had several legal cases pending against him and was believed to have links with an extremist organisation, although these allegations are yet to be independently verified.

His murder follows a recent series of attacks targeting members of the Hindu community, including the rape of a Hindu widow and the killing of at least three other Hindu men since December. These incidents have sparked increasing criticism of the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus and its handling of minority security.

Officials said the shooting took place around 6 pm in the Kopalia Bazar area of Manirampur sub-district in Jashore, located in southwestern Bangladesh. According to Akhtar Faruk Mintu, chairman of the Manoharpur Union Parishad, Pratap was the son of a schoolteacher from Arua village in neighbouring Keshabpur and had been operating his ice factory at Kopalia Bazar for the past two years.

Investigations are underway as concern deepens over the rising trend of targeted attacks on minorities in the country.