Sirajul Islam, Thakurgaon Correspondent
An auto-rickshaw driver in Thakurgaon’s Baliadangi upazila was attacked with a knife to the throat in an attempted hijacking on Monday night. However, the hijackers were forced to abandon the vehicle as the situation did not go in their favor.
The incident took place around 8 PM on 17 February in the Rupganj area of Baliadangi upazila. The victim, Kamaruzzaman (38), is a resident of Badhmachel Saramjani village and the son of Siraj Uddin.
How the Attack Unfolded
According to sources, two passengers hired Kamaruzzaman’s auto-rickshaw from Baliadangi Upazila town’s Chourasta area in the afternoon. They requested a trip to Harinmari village to visit Asia’s largest mango tree, a well-known attraction.
On their way back, as they reached a secluded road in Rupganj under Borobari Union, the passengers attacked Kamaruzzaman with a sharp weapon, slashing his throat, before seizing the vehicle and attempting to flee.
Driver Rescued, Hijackers Abandon Vehicle
Locals discovered the critically injured driver and rushed him to Baliadangi Upazila Health Complex. Due to the severity of his injuries, he was later transferred to Thakurgaon General Hospital for advanced treatment.
Meanwhile, in a twist of fate, as the hijackers rushed to escape, they crashed the stolen vehicle into a motorcycle in the College Road area of the upazila town. Before locals could intervene, they abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene.
Police Investigation Underway
Following the incident, local residents helped recover the auto-rickshaw and handed it over to the police.
Baliadangi Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Shawkat Ali Sarkar stated:
“Upon receiving information, police arrived at the scene and launched an investigation. Efforts are underway to identify and apprehend those responsible for the hijacking.”
