Two worshippers, including a mosque committee leader, were injured after armed assailants opened fire inside a mosque during Fajr prayers in Khulna early Sunday.

The incident took place at around 5:30am at the West Kashipur Power Plant Jame Mosque in the Daulatpur area of the city.

The injured were identified as Lokman Hakim, 45, secretary of the mosque committee, and Alam Sheikh, 55.

According to police and local residents, several armed men suddenly entered the mosque while worshippers were offering Fajr prayers. The attackers allegedly opened fire directly at Lokman Hakim, while Alam Sheikh was also struck by gunfire during the attack.

Both men collapsed on the mosque floor after being shot. The assailants fled the scene immediately afterwards.

Hearing the gunshots, other worshippers and local residents rushed to the scene and rescued the injured men. They were initially taken to Khulna Medical College Hospital for treatment.

Doctors later referred Lokman Hakim to Dhaka for advanced treatment after his condition deteriorated. Hospital sources said his condition was critical.

Md Shafiqul Islam, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Daulatpur Zone) of the Khulna Metropolitan Police, said investigators had collected evidence from the scene and were reviewing CCTV footage from the surrounding area.

“We have gathered various pieces of evidence from the scene, and several police teams are working to identify those involved and determine the motive behind the attack,” he said.

Police said Lokman Hakim is a contractor for the West Zone Power Distribution Company Limited (WZPDCL) and is also involved in the fuel oil business.