Md. Lablu Shekh, Lalmonirhat

Two police officers, including a sub-inspector whose condition is reported to be critical, were injured after a fugitive suspect attacked them with a machete during an arrest drive in Hatibandha upazila of Lalmonirhat on Friday night.

The incident took place in the Gendukuri area of Tongbhanga union under the upazila. The injured law enforcers were identified as SI Ruhul Amin and Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Abdul Latif, both attached to the Hatibandha Police Station.

According to police and local sources, a court had recently issued an arrest warrant against the suspect, Md. Rashedul Islam alias Rashed, son of Md. Belal Hossain of Gendukuri village, in connection with multiple theft and criminal cases. Acting on a tip-off regarding his presence at home, SI Ruhul Amin and ASI Abdul Latif conducted a raid at his residence late Friday night.

To evade arrest, Rashedul suddenly ambushed the officers and hacked at them indiscriminately with a sharp machete (da), leaving them bloodied on the spot before fleeing the scene. SI Ruhul Amin sustained deep lacerations on his wrist and multiple parts of his body, while ASI Latif also suffered injuries during the scuffle.

Upon receiving the information, an additional police contingent rushed to the scene, rescued the wounded officers, and initially admitted them to the Hatibandha Upazila Health Complex. Dr. Anarul Islam, the Residential Medical Officer of the health complex, stated that SI Ruhul Amin had sustained the most severe injuries. Due to his deteriorating condition, he was urgently transferred to Rangpur Medical College Hospital late Friday night. On Saturday morning, he was moved to a private facility, Rangpur Community Medical College Hospital (Doctor's Clinic), to undergo emergency surgery.

Lalmonirhat SP. Md. Asaduzzaman confirmed the attack, stating that the two officers were assaulted while performing their professional duties to execute a court warrant. He added that SI Ruhul was taken to the Rangpur clinic for critical surgical procedures, and the district police administration is continuously monitoring the medical care of both officers.

Hatibandha Police Station OC Md. Ramzan Ali reiterated that strict legal procedures are being initiated against the perpetrator, and a police drive is currently underway to track down and arrest the fleeing suspect.