A seven-year-old girl was killed and three members of her family were critically injured in an alleged arson attack on the home of a local Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader in Lakshmipur’s Sadar upazila early Saturday, according to police and hospital officials, the NDTV World reports.
The incident occurred in the pre-dawn hours at the residence of Belal Hossain, a businessman and assistant organising secretary of the BNP in Bhabaniganj Union. Police said the house was allegedly secured from the outside before being set ablaze.
Officer-in-Charge Md Wahid Parvez of Lakshmipur Sadar Model Thana confirmed that Belal’s daughter, Ayesha Akter, died from burn injuries. Belal and his two other daughters—Salma Akter, 16, and Samia Akter, 14—were seriously injured and rushed to hospital. Belal is receiving treatment at Lakshmipur Sadar Hospital, while the two girls were transferred to Dhaka for specialised care.
Hospital officials said the victims were brought to the emergency department around 2 a.m. “The two teenage girls suffered severe burns and were referred to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery due to their critical condition,” said Arup Pal, the hospital’s residential medical officer.
Family members alleged that attackers locked the doors and ignited the house using an accelerant. Belal’s mother, Hazera Begum, said she awoke to see the house on fire and found the entrances secured from outside, preventing immediate rescue. Belal later broke free, and his wife escaped with their infant and young son, she said.
Police said an investigation is underway to determine responsibility and motive. No arrests had been reported as of Saturday.
