A local BNP activist was shot dead during a clash between two rival groups over illegal sand extraction and territorial dominance on a char of the Padma River in Pabna on Friday.

The incident took place around noon at Jot Kakuria Kalabagan area on the Padma char, located on the border of Pabna Sadar and Sujanagar upazilas, said Additional Superintendent of Police Rezinaur Rahman.

The deceased was identified as Manju Sheikh, 35, son of Darog Sheikh of Aria Gohailbari area under Sujanagar upazila. His family claimed that he was an activist of the BNP.

According to police, tensions had been prevailing between the two groups over sand extraction from the Padma River char for some time.

On Friday morning, members of the rival groups went to inspect the sand extraction site, which led to an altercation.

At one stage, the confrontation turned violent, triggering a clash and exchange of gunfire.

Manju Sheikh sustained bullet injuries during the clash and died on the spot.

The victim's uncle, Sheikh Abdur Rouf, member secretary of Sujanagar Upazila BNP, alleged that his nephew was shot dead over a dispute related to illegal sand extraction. He demanded the arrest and exemplary punishment of those involved.

Additional SP Rezinaur Rahman said police rushed to the spot after receiving the information and were preparing to send the body to the hospital morgue for an autopsy.

He said the situation in the area was under control, while an investigation was underway to determine the exact cause of the clash and identify those responsible.