BNP slams Jamaat for attack on partymen in Pabna

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has strongly condemned a planned attack by armed Jamaat-e-Islami activists on its leaders, activists and civilians during an election campaign in Pabna's Ishwardi on Thursday afternoon, repors UNB.

In a statement signed by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, the party said more than 50 of its leaders and activists were injured in the attack and are receiving treatment.

The statement alleged that Abu Taleb Mandal, the local candidate for Pabna-4 (Ishwardi-Atghoria) nominated by Jamaat-e-Islami, personally led the attack. It said Jamaat leaders and activists used religious appeals and controversial tactics, including "selling tickets to heaven," as part of their campaign.

When people protested, Jamaat activists allegedly attacked them violently. The BNP statement added that its members, who were campaigning peacefully, were also attacked without provocation.

It said a photograph published in Daily Manab Zamin shows a Jamaat activist, Tushar, attacking with a firearm.

The party, however, claimed some media outlets deliberately reported misleading news to divert attention from the incident, and said the attack exposed the extremism of the Jamaat-e-Islami.

The BNP reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful political practice and maintaining a safe electoral environment.