JASHORE, BANGLADESH – Rana Pratap Bairagi, a 38-year-old businessman and acting editor of a local newspaper, was brutally murdered by unidentified assailants in the Monirampur upazila of Jashore district on the evening of Monday, January 5, 2026.
While the incident initially sparked concerns regarding minority safety, government officials and local police have stated that the killing appears linked to past extremist political feuds and business rivalries rather than religious identity or journalism.
The Incident
The attack occurred around 5:45 PM at Kopalia Bazar in Monirampur. According to eyewitnesses and police reports, Bairagi was at his ice manufacturing factory when three men arrived on a motorcycle.
The assailants reportedly called Bairagi out of his factory and led him to a nearby alley west of the market, in front of the Kopalia Clinic and Diagnostic Centre. Once there, they shot him multiple times in the head at point-blank range and slit his throat before fleeing the scene. Bairagi died on the spot.
Profile of the Victim
Rana Pratap Bairagi was the son of Tushar Kanti Bairagi from Arua village in Keshabpur upazila. He was a well-known figure in the area with a diverse profile:
- Business: He owned an ice factory in Kopalia Bazar and a fish depot at Katakhali Bazar.
- Media: He served as the acting editor of Dainik BD Khabar, a newspaper published from Narail.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| Name | Rana Pratap Bairagi (38) |
| Date of Incident | January 5, 2026 |
| Location | Kopalia Bazar, Monirampur, Jashore |
| Cause of Death | Gunshot wounds to the head; throat slit |
| Primary Suspects | 3 unidentified men on a motorcycle |
| Potential Motive | Internal feud (extremist politics) or business rivalry |