Ten people including a local leader of Swechchhasebak Dal suffered bullet injuries in a gun attack at Mazdiyar in Doulatpur upazila of Kushtia district early Monday.

The injured were identified as Rabiul Islam, 36, convener of Moricha Union unit Swechchhasebak Dal,  his father Hafez Pramanik, Sohel Rana, 45, Sohel’s wife Toma Khatun, 26, Quamrul Islam, 37, Munni Khatun, 24, Runa Khatun, 27, Mita Khatun, 30, Touhidul Islam, 30 and Merinan Khatun, 25.

Witnesses said Rabiul was walking in front of his house during a power outage when a group of 10 to 15 armed men suddenly attacked him.

Hearing his screams, when his parents and neighbours rushed to the scene the attackers opened fire indiscriminately, leaving 10 people, including family members and locals bullet-injured.

Locals rescued the injured and took them to Kushtia General Hospital.

Liaquat Member, maternal uncle of Rabiul Islam, told reporters at the hospital that they were unaware of the motive behind the attack and could not confirm the identities of the assailants.

“My nephew had no known disputes with anyone. Suddenly, a group of 10 to 15 armed men carried out the attack at night. When family members and neighbours came forward they were also targeted,” he said.

Officer-in-Charge of Daulatpur Police Station Arifur Rahman said several rounds of gunshots were heard in Moricha union at night, leaving 10 people injured.

Police rushed to the scene and brought the situation under control, he said.

He added that the motive behind the attack is yet to be known and efforts are underway to identify those involved.