A person was shot dead, and three others were injured in a series of attacks and counterattacks between two rival gangs reportedly fighting to establish dominance in Nabinagar upazila of Brahmanbaria.
The deceased, identified as Shipon Miya, 30, was the son of Monnaf Miya, known locally as "Monek Dakat". Both were accused in multiple criminal cases, said Shahinur Islam, officer-in-charge of Nabinagar Police Station.
Quoting locals, the OC said the first attack took place around 9:00pm on Saturday at a roadside eatery near Gani Shah Mazar in Barikandi union.
Shipon was chatting with others when a group of armed men stormed in, opened fire and fled the scene immediately.
Shipon and two restaurant employees, Yasin Miya, 20, and Nur Alam, 18, were shot. They were taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), where Shipon died.
According to locals, there has been a long-standing dispute between two gangs over control of the area's criminal activities.
One of the groups is reportedly led by Monnaf and his son Shipon, while the other is allegedly led by Emran Hossain, 38, a teacher at Shyamgram Mohini Kishore High School, and his cousin Arafat, son of "Mister Ali" from Thollakandi village.
The attack on Shipon was reportedly carried out by Arafat and his men. As word of the shooting spread, Shipon's father, Monnaf, and his supporters reportedly stormed Emran's office close by and shot him there.
Critically injured, Emran was also rushed to the DMCH, the OC said. Monnaf and his supporters then attacked Thollakandi village, vandalising several houses, according to the police official.
Upon receiving the news, a large police contingent led by Piyas Basak, additional superintendent of police (Nabinagar circle), and OC Shahinur rushed to the scene and reinforced security across the crime scenes.
The situation is under control now, ASP Basak told reporters, declining to comment further on the motive behind the shootings.
Tension, however, remained high in Gourikandi and Thollakandi, where residents said all shops have remained closed since yesterday morning amid fear of renewed violence.
Till the filing of this report last night at 9:30pm, no case was filed over the violence.
Speaking on the matter, Obaidur Rahman, additional superintendent of police (admin and finance), Brahmanbaria, said, "Shipon and Arafat once used to be close associates. They were both accused in multiple cases of theft, extortion and robbery."
"Police even issued a warrant against Arafat, and he was arrested and sent to jail. Only a few days ago, he got out on bail. We have learnt from sources that he was under the impression that Shipon was somehow behind his arrest and was looking to take revenge."