The latest fatality comes just hours after another a Hindu businessman and newspaper editor was shot dead in the southern district of Jessore, deepening concerns over rising violence against minority communities.

The victim, identified as Sarat Mani Chakraborty, was attacked at Charsindhur Bazar in Palash Upazila around 11 pm. Local reports suggested that the assailants struck him with sharp, locally made weapons while he was closing his grocery shop, leaving him critically injured. He was rushed to Palash Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him dead.

The reports further stated Chakraborty had, in a Facebook post on December 19, expressed concern about the deteriorating security situation, describing his birthplace as having become "a valley of death", prompting the police to examine whether that social media post had any bearing on the killing.

Earlier, Rana Pratap Bairagi (38), a businessman and acting editor of 'Dainik BD Khabar' newspaper, was shot dead in Kapalia Bazar in Monirampur upazila, Jessore district. Prothom Alo, a leading Bangladeshi daily, quoted the police as saying three unidentified men on a motorcycle called Bairagi out of his ice factory and shot him at close range. The motive was not immediately known, and an investigation is underway.

The spike in violence against Hindus follows a string of deadly incidents, beginning with the lynching of Dipu Chandra Das (25) on December 18 in Mymensingh, where he was beaten and his body set on fire after allegations of blasphemy–claims the police later said were unsubstantiated.

Other recent cases include the mob attack and later death of Khokon Chandra Das (50) in Shariatpur, whose assailants stabbed and set him on fire on December 31 before he succumbed to injuries days later. Local authorities have since arrested suspects in the Shariatpur case.

Several other violent episodes involving Hindus have been reported in recent weeks, including the lynching of Amrit Mondal in Rajbari's Pangsha upazila and other targeted assaults, drawing attention to recurring communal tensions.

The wave of killings has triggered fear among minority communities and criticism from rights groups and political observers. Police and local officials have reiterated that investigations are ongoing, but no clear pattern of motive has been publicly established beyond isolated criminal probes.

The United Kingdom government, among others, has condemned several of the violent incidents as deeply troubling and called for accountability, while international actors have underscored the need for protection of religious minorities.