A leader of Sramik Dal, BNP’s labour wing, was shot and hacked to death publicly by some miscreants at Dakbangla intersection in Khulna city on Wednesday night.

Police, however, detained a killer named Ashok Ghosh from the scene with arms with the help of mob.

Deceased Masum Billah, 55, former president of Rupsha Upazila Sramik Dal and former president of Rupsha-Bagerhat inter-district road transport workers’ union.

According to police and witnesses, Masum Billah was shopping at a Bata showroom at Dakbangla intersection at around 9PM. Suddenly, seven assailants, equipped with arms, started firing aiming at Masum. When he fell on the ground after being shot, the gang stabbed in his legs and various parts of his body and fled, ensuring his death.

Locals rushed him to Khulna Medical College Hospital where the on-duty doctor declared him dead.

Khulna Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner (South) Tajul Islam said around six to seven assailants took part in what appeared to be a contract killing.

“They came with a plan to kill Masum Billah. After shooting and attacking him with sharp weapons, they fled,” he said.