Dhaka(FNO): A growing sense of fear and uncertainty has taken hold in Bangladesh following a series of targeted shootings by unidentified assailants, raising troubling questions about who is behind the attacks and what larger strategy may be unfolding.

The recent shooting of Muhammad Motaleb Sikdar in Khulna and the killing of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, a controversial student leader who later died of gunshot injuries in Singapore, are increasingly being viewed not as isolated incidents, but as part of a pattern of calculated political violence.

In both cases, the attackers were described as “unknown gunmen” - a phrase that has become disturbingly familiar in Bangladesh’s political vocabulary. The absence of arrests, clear motives, or transparent investigations has only deepened public suspicion.

Political analysts argue that the recurrence of such attacks suggests a broader and more deliberate strategy, particularly targeting figures associated with student politics and emerging leadership. While claims of deep-state involvement remain unproven, the systematic erosion of accountability and the repeated failure to identify perpetrators have fuelled widespread speculation.

The central questions now dominating public discourse are stark:
Who are these gunmen? Whom do they work for? And why do they strike with apparent impunity?

Despite official assurances, the persistent presence of shadowy assailants has weakened public trust in law enforcement mechanisms. Families of victims, civil society groups, and opposition voices have all demanded credible, independent investigations.

Beyond the immediate crimes, the implications may be far more profound. Observers warn that Bangladesh could be witnessing the deliberate foreclosure of political alternatives, at a time when democratic renewal and inclusive political participation are most urgently needed.

As fear spreads and unanswered questions multiply, the issue is no longer confined to individual attacks. It has become a test of Bangladesh’s commitment to rule of law, transparency, and democratic resilience