Clashes erupted repeatedly on Thursday between BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami activists in Ishwardi, Pabna, leaving the area tense throughout the afternoon.

More than fifty people from both sides were reportedly injured, including Jamaat’s Pabna-4 (Ishwardi–Atghoria) MP candidate, Abu Taleb Mondal. However, police offered a far lower figure, suggesting both groups had “highly inflated” the numbers. The injured were taken to Ishwardi Upazila Health Complex, though their names have not yet been confirmed.

The violence broke out in the Char Gorgori area of Sahapur Union when Mondal’s motorcade — a convoy of more than 150 motorcycles — was travelling from Rahimpur Bottola towards Char Gorgori Alhaj Mor. Locals said the procession came face-to-face with a BNP rally at Jogir Mor, sparking a sudden confrontation.

Mondal alleged: “We were on our scheduled programme when BNP supporters led by Habibur Rahman Habib attacked us with weapons and even opened fire. Over 60–70 of our people were injured, some seriously. Several were referred to Rajshahi Medical College. They also burned around 15 motorcycles and took away 30 others.”

BNP’s Pabna-4 candidate Habibur Rahman Habib dismissed the accusation, countering: “Jamaat supporters attacked our activists first. During self-defence, 15–20 of our people were injured. Jamaat is spreading false claims — Mondal himself led the assault.”

Ishwardi Police Station Officer-in-Charge A.S.M. Abdun Nur downplayed the scale of the incident. “There was a minor clash between the two groups. Only four to five people were injured from both sides. Nothing more to comment,” he said.