Post-polling tensions have erupted and picked pace in West Bengal, as a brazen late-night ambush targeted Chandranath Rath, the personal assistant to senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari. The former was shot dead by unidentified bike-borne assailants late Wednesday night, in what the cops believe was a meticulously planned execution.

The police said the attack took place at around 10:30 pm near Doltala, when Rath’s car was intercepted by a car bearing a fake number plate. This led Rath’s vehicle to stop in the middle of the road, soon after which, several bike-borne assailants opened fire on Rath at close range.

Cops reconstruct sequence of events

The investigating police personnel reconstructed the sequence of events of the chilling incident. Rath’s SUV was allegedly chased down before being blocked by a suspicious car. Soon after this, the bike-borne attackers fired at least four rounds targeting the vehicle. 

An eyewitness said the assailant fired from point-blank range before fleeing immediately, suggesting that the shooters were trained. The car which impeded Rath’s vehicle was left on the spot, while the assailants fled on their bikes. Notably, the bikes did not bear number plates. 

Rath sustains injuries to chest, pronounced dead at hospital

Doctors at the hospital said when Rath was brought in, he had already succumbed to his injuries. He had sustained bullet wounds to his chest, including one that pierced his heart, alongside another wound to the abdomen. A doctor said, “There was no room for resuscitation,” underlining the lethal precision of the attack.

Use of sophisticated firearms suspected

Senior police officials are suspecting that the attackers may have used sophisticated firearms, possibly Glock 47X pistols. Empty cartridges and live rounds have been seized from the spot. West Bengal’s Director General of Police (DGP) Siddh Nath Gupta said that the seized car bore a fake number plate, while its chassis number may have been tampered with.

Political tensions flare

A fierce political backlash has erupted after the killing, as senior BJP leaders have squarely blamed the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), alleging a culture of violence. They termed the murder ‘cold-blooded’ and indicative of a deeper conspiracy. Meanwhile, the TMC issued an official statement, condemning the incident and calling for accountability. 

Bengal infamous for violence during polls

It is noteworthy that West Bengal is a state, which has long grappled with violence during and after polls. A National Human Rights Commission probe into the 2021 post-election unrest revealed 1,900 offences, ranging from murder to arson. 

According to police data, since early May, hundreds of arrests have been made in connection with post-election violence, reflecting the volatile climate in the state.