Shots Fired at Asif Akbar's Car in Mogbazar at Dawn: Singer Safe, Police Examining CCTV Footage
Attackers opened fire targeting the personal car of popular singer and former Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director Asif Akbar in front of Bishal Centre in the capital's Mogbazar. The incident took place in the early hours of Saturday (24 October). No one was injured, and Asif Akbar is reported to be safe.
After the news spread, the singer's fans expressed concern. Many took to social media to question his safety and demand a swift investigation into the incident.
Asif Akbar's wife, Begum Salma Asif, posted about the incident on her Facebook account. She said: "After five years. The incident at 5 in the morning... Allah is the protector, Ameen."
Another post was made from Begum Salma Asif's verified Facebook page. In it she said: "At around 5 in the morning, shots were fired targeting singer Asif Akbar's car in the Mogbazar Bishal Centre area. At that time he was preparing to get into the car. He is now safe. Allah is the protector."
Md Asaduzzaman, officer-in-charge (OC) of Hatirjheel Police Station, told the media that Asif Akbar has a personal office in Mogbazar. His personal car was parked in front of Bishal Centre. Shots were fired at the car in the early hours. No one was injured in the incident.
Who fired the shots and what the motive was are not yet known. However, police are collecting footage from CCTV (closed-circuit) cameras in the surrounding area to identify those involved.
Hatirjheel police said necessary legal action would be taken over the incident. Uncovering the reason behind the attack depends on the progress of the investigation.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami strongly condemned and protested the shooting. In a statement on Saturday, the party's assistant secretary general and secretary of its central publicity and media department, Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, issued the condemnation.
Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair said the shooting targeting singer Asif Akbar's personal car in the capital's Mogbazar was extremely worrying and condemnable. Such an attack on the car of a popular singer of the country can in no way be accepted.
He said such terrorist activities are a threat to public safety, the law-and-order situation and the normal lives of citizens. Law enforcement agencies must play a more effective role in suppressing such crimes. Ensuring the safety of life and property of every citizen is the responsibility of the state.
He further said the attackers involved in this incident must be quickly identified and brought under the law. At the same time, he strongly demanded that the real reason behind the incident be uncovered through a fair investigation and exemplary punishment ensured for the culprits, in the interest of justice.
The early-morning shooting at a popular artist's car in a busy area of the capital has raised fresh questions about public safety. All eyes are now on how quickly police can identify the attackers by analysing the CCTV footage.
