Dawn Attack Shatters Calm in Moghbazar as Shots Target Singer Asif Akbar’s Vehicle
The singer was inside his office when unidentified attackers opened fire on his unoccupied vehicle near Bishal Centre early on Saturday.

Early on Saturday morning, the usual quiet of Moghbazar in Dhaka was broken by the sharp sound of gunfire directed at a parked car belonging to popular singer and former Bangladesh Cricket Board director Asif Akbar. The incident, which took place in front of Bishal Centre, has raised fresh questions about safety in the capital's busy commercial areas and the motives behind attacks that appear calculated yet leave no immediate casualties.
According to police at Hatirjheel station, the shooting occurred around dawn while Asif Akbar was inside his office on an upper floor of the building. His private car stood unoccupied outside. One or more unidentified individuals approached the vehicle, opened fire, and fled the scene before law enforcement could respond. No one was injured, but the attack left clear signs of damage on the car and sent a jolt through those who later learned of it.
Asif Akbar, widely known for his long career in the music industry and his earlier role in cricket administration, was preparing to leave when the shots rang out. After hearing the gunfire, he went downstairs and informed the police. Officers arrived promptly, examined the vehicle, and began the process of gathering evidence. Because many nearby shops were still closed at that early hour, investigators said they would return later in the day to collect CCTV footage from cameras in the surrounding area. They have not yet identified the attackers or established a clear reason for the shooting.
Local police officials noted that the singer himself reported the incident and that no formal written complaint had been filed as of Saturday afternoon. They added that further steps would depend on what the footage and any additional statements reveal. Investigators are examining whether the attack was linked to any personal matter, a professional disagreement, or something else entirely. For now, the motive remains unknown.
The location itself is significant. Bishal Centre sits in a busy part of Moghbazar where offices, shops, and residential buildings stand close together. Dawn is usually one of the quieter periods before the day's traffic and commercial activity begin. The fact that armed individuals could approach a parked car, fire at it, and leave without immediate detection has prompted discussion among residents and business owners about the level of vigilance in the area during early hours.
Asif Akbar's dual public profile has added another layer of interest. For years he has been a familiar voice in Bangladeshi music, and his previous involvement with the cricket board kept him in the public eye beyond the stage. Attacks on vehicles belonging to public figures, even when the individuals themselves are unharmed, tend to attract attention because they raise the possibility of targeted intimidation. Police have not indicated that they view the incident as part of a wider pattern, but they have said they will treat the case seriously and pursue all available leads.
By midday on Saturday, news of the shooting had circulated among media outlets and on social platforms. While police continue their work of collecting video evidence and speaking with possible witnesses, the immediate priority remains identifying those responsible and understanding why the car was chosen as a target. Officers have assured that once shops reopen and footage becomes available, the investigation will move forward with greater clarity.
For the moment, the episode stands as a reminder that even well-known individuals can find their property under threat in the capital. Law enforcement has confirmed that the singer was not present in the vehicle and suffered no harm, yet the unanswered questions about the attackers' identity and purpose continue to hang over the case. Further details are expected as the police complete their initial evidence collection and determine the next legal steps.

