New Age | Two dead in stabbing at Pabna bus station

Two men were killed in a knife attack near the central bus station in Pabna on Wednesday morning, allegedly over a drug dispute.

The attack took place in front of the Halim Hotel in the terminal area and claimed the lives of 45-year-old Milon Hossain Modhu and 44-year-old Monju Pramanik.

Modhu was known for collecting tolls from transport workers, while Monju worked as an auto-rickshaw driver.

According to relatives of the victims and hotel staff, the two men had gone to the hotel for breakfast when they were attacked. As they stood in front of the hotel, several attackers stabbed them, critically injuring them.

Passersby took the victims to Pabna General Hospital, where doctors pronounced them dead.

Local residents said the victims were allegedly facilitating drug deals for known dealers from Mahendrapur village who had political links with some Awami League members. A shift in power among those controlling the drug trade may have led to this deadly conflict.

Officer-in-charge of Pabna Sadar Police Station Rowshan Ali confirmed that the bodies were recovered and shifted to Pabna General Hospital morgue for autopsy. Police are currently investigating the exact motive behind the killings and will disclose more details once the investigation is completed, the OC added.