Shawdesh desk:

Two men were killed in a stabbing incident Wednesday morning near the central bus terminal in Pabna, allegedly over a drug-related dispute.

The attack occurred in front of Halim Hotel in the terminal area, leaving 45-year-old Milon Hossain Modhu and 44-year-old Monju Pramanik dead.

Modhu was known for collecting tolls from transport workers, while Monju worked as an auto-rickshaw driver.

According to relatives of the victims and hotel staff, the two men had gone to the hotel for breakfast when they were attacked. As they stood in front of the hotel, several assailants stabbed them, leaving them critically injured.

Bystanders rushed the victims to Pabna General Hospital, where doctors pronounced them dead.

Local residents reported that the victims were allegedly involved in facilitating drug transactions for known dealers from Mahendrapur village, who had political connections with some members of the Awami League. Recently, a power shift among those controlling the drug trade may have led to this fatal conflict.

Pabna Sadar Police Station officer-in-charge Rowshan Ali confirmed that the bodies have been recovered and sent to the morgue at Pabna General Hospital for autopsy. Police are investigating the exact motive behind the killings and will provide more details once the investigation progresses, the OC added.