Another student leader in Bangladesh has been shot in the head in the southern city of Khulna, marking the second such attack this month amid heightened political tensions following the killing of prominent youth activist Sharif Osman Hadi.

According to Bangladeshi media reports, Mohammad Md Motaleb Sikder, 42, a senior leader of the student-led National Citizen Party (NCP), was targeted by unidentified gunmen on Monday in the Sonadanga area of Khulna.

He sustained a gunshot wound to the left side of his head and was rushed to Khulna Medical College Hospital in critical condition.

Police said a search operation was launched to trace the attackers.

Some local media outlets reported that Sikder later succumbed to his injuries, though there was no official confirmation from authorities at the time of filing this report.

The shooting comes days after the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, a well-known youth activist and organiser of recent student-led protests.

Hadi was shot earlier this month in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area while campaigning ahead of the February 12 general elections. He was later flown to Singapore for treatment but died of his injuries.

Hadi’s killing triggered protests in Dhaka and other cities, with demonstrators demanding justice and accountability. The incidents have raised fresh concerns over security and political violence in the country.

The National Citizen Party was formed earlier this year following the removal of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina from power.

Emerging from movements including Students Against Discrimination and the Jatiya Nagorik Committee, the party has quickly gained prominence among student groups in Bangladesh.

Authorities have said investigations into both incidents are ongoing.