Contractor shot dead in city

Sources said Zakir Khan Iran, 34, a local contractor and a listed criminal accused in two murder cases, was watching cricket match between Australia versus Bangladesh on television at Nagar Baul Bahumukhi Samobay Samity office at around 3:45pm. Suddenly his mobile phone rang and he went out to receive the call.

"After a short while the television viewers at the samity office heard sound of firing. As they came out, they found Zakir writhing on the road with bullet hit his head. They also saw a motorbike was swiftly running away and a man was also running", said eye witness Muhammad Dulal.

Locals chased the man, named Biplab, captured him and handed him over to the police.

Meantime, Zakir was rushed to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) where the doctors declared him dead.

Pallabi police said Zakir was a listed criminal of Mirpur area and an accused in two murder cases.

Police suspect that he might have been killed due to intra conflict with rival groups.

Meanwhile, an unidentified youth was brought to DMCH in the early hours yesterday and was declared dead by the doctors.

The body bears marks of injuries in the back and in two legs, which indicate that he was beaten to death, said the morgue sources.

A man who, among others, brought the victim to DMCH said they found him lying in front of a shopping complex at Senpara-Parbata area in Mirpur.