Journalist Escapes Unhurt as Gunfire Riddles Rear Seat of Moving Car in Hathazari

❐ Local correspondent

Journalist, editor and businessman S. M. Shahidullah Rony (46) was shot dead by gunmen who stopped his car on the Chittagong-Rangamati highway in the middle of the night. Although the four rounds of bullets fired by the miscreants penetrated one side of the car and went through the other, he miraculously survived thanks to his quick wit and luck.

The thrilling and heart-wrenching attack took place at around 11:30 pm on Tuesday, July 28, in the Ichapur Charabatola area of ​​Hathazari upazila. The victim, Shahidullah Rony, was once the Chittagong bureau chief of ‘Bijoy TV’. He is currently the publisher and editor of ‘Dainik Priyo Samoy’ newspaper and is involved in several brick kilns and real estate businesses.

Describing the incident, victim Shahidullah Rony said that on Tuesday night, he drove himself from the Chittagong city office to his home in Raojan. When he reached the Charabattola area of ​​Hathazari, the miscreants first targeted his car and tried to stop it by throwing large bricks. Sensing danger, Rony immediately turned off the headlights and stopped the car.

At that very moment, two masked gunmen on a motorcycle arrived, before anyone could realize anything, and fired four rounds in quick succession into the back seat of the car, quickly disappearing into the darkness.

Shahidullah Rony said that usually his personal driver drives the car. But on Tuesday night, he himself was in the driver’s seat. The miscreants may have thought that he was sitting in the back seat as usual. So they opened fire indiscriminately, targeting the back seat. At the sound of the gunshots, he quickly ducked down in the driver’s seat, due to which the bullets could not touch him.

Immediately after the incident, locals rushed to the spot and upon receiving the news, Hathazari Circle Additional Superintendent of Police Kazi Md. Tarek Aziz and the police team of Hathazari Model Police Station quickly inspected the scene and collected evidence.

Police officer Kazi Md. Tarek Aziz said that the miscreants first tried to stop the car with bricks and later fired 4 rounds and fled. The victim has old enmity with various individuals and influential groups in Raojan. It is believed that the attack was initially planned due to past enmity.

The police also said that a thorough investigation has been launched to determine whether this was a premeditated attack or not and to confirm the identity of the main attackers. After detailed interrogation of the victim, the process of filing a written complaint or case for legal action is underway.