KHULNA, May 18, 2026 (BSS) - A medicine trader was hacked to death and his wife injured after a gang allegedly entered their house through a tunnel-like hole in Koyra upazila of Khulna district early Monday.

The deceased was identified as Bhabatosh Mridha, 37, a resident of the Middle Moheshwaripur area under Moheshwaripur union of the upazila.

He was known locally as a medicine businessman and owned a pharmacy at Gilabari Bazar in the same union.

According to local sources, the incident took place around 1.30am when a group of miscreants reportedly cut through the mud wall of the house and entered inside.

Local Union Parishad member Mizanur Rahman Khokon said Bhabatosh woke up after hearing noises and tried to resist the intruders.

At that time, the attackers allegedly hacked him indiscriminately with sharp weapons, leaving him critically injured.

His wife was also injured while trying to save him, he added. Locals later rescued the couple and took them to Koyra Upazila Health Complex where the on-duty doctor declared Bhabatosh dead.

His wife is currently undergoing treatment there and is said to be out of danger.

Officer-in-Charge (Acting) of Koyra Police Station Md Shah Alam confirmed the death and said police were sent to the spot immediately after the incident.

Efforts are underway to identify and arrest those involved, he added.

Meanwhile, locals said incidents of burglary through cutting mud walls have increased in Koyra over the past few months.

They alleged that organised gangs often spray sedative substances inside houses before carrying out thefts, creating panic among residents.

They demanded strengthening night security measures and increasing police patrols in the area.