The newly elected chairman of Bhadsha Union Parishad under Joypurhat Sadar upazila was stabbed and shot by a gang of unidentified criminals on Saturday night. His aide was also stabbed by them.

Locals rescued chairman-elect AK Azad, 43, and his aide Nayan Kumar Barman, 39, and took them to Joypurhat Modern Hospital. As their condition deteriorated, they were referred to Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital in Bogra. The bullet-hit chairman was sent to Dhaka yesterday

Police; quoting witnesses, said Azad and Nayan were returning home on a motorbike from Bhadsha Bazar at around 10:30pm. As the duo arrived near Gopalpur Adivasipara, around 10 to 12 masked criminals intercepted them.

The gang stabbed the duo, fired bullets at AK Azad and left the spot A case was filed with Joypurhat Sadar Police Station yesterday.

Ruhul Amin, assistant superintendent of police of Joypurhat, said law enforcers are investigating the incident and trying to arrest the culprits involved.

Azad won the election as AL rebel candidate. He defeated Hatem Ali, who contested the election with boat symbol.

Away in Gaibandha, Four people, arrested in connection with the gun attack on BNP-nominated chairman candidate Azizur Rahman in Arendabari union of Fulchari upazila on Friday, were sent to jail yesterday, reports our correspondent.

Azizur Rahman won election held on Saturday. He bagged 5,584 votes while his nearest candidate Abdul Mannan Akanda of AL got 4,509 votes.

A gang of criminals fired three bullets at Azizur Rahman though the window while he was asleep at his residence. He was admitted to Sadar Hospital with bullets wounds on both legs.