Shafi Ahmed sent a letter to South Surma thana BNP secretary Habib Hossain at about noon through a messenger in his car, asking him to join a party rally at Chowdhury Bazaar in the afternoon. Shafi waited at the Deputy Commissi-oner's office.

As Shafi's car was returning to DC's office to pick him up, it came under attack near Babnar crossing of some young men.

They attacked the car, beat up driver Rafiqul Islam and snatched money and cell phone from him. The messenger-- Nurul Islam--managed to flee. The driver was injured.

Later, Shafi Ahmed filed a case with Sylhet Kotwali police station

accusing fifteen party men including Surma BNP chief

Habib Hossain and JCD (jatiyata-badi Chhatra Dal) secretary Kohinur Ahmed. He alleged in case that it was an attempt to kill him.

However, Habib Hossain denied the allegation.

Shafi along with two other former lawmakers belong to the anti-Saifur camp in Sylhet BNP, party sources said.