BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia this evening alleged that the government shifted former BNP lawmaker Nasir Uddin Pintu to Rajshahi jail from Dhaka "in a bid to kill him".

"Nothing happened without instructions from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. She and others involved in the killing will not be spared," Khaleda warned while exchanging greetings with Buddhists at her Gulshan office.

Pintu was not provided with treatment despite a court order, said Khaleda, terming the premier as a "monster".

Former BNP lawmaker Nasiruddin Ahmed Pintu died today of cardiac arrest at the age of 48.

The BNP leader was "brought dead" to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital at 12:15pm, Brig Gen AKM Nasiruddin, director of the hospital, told The Daily Star.

Pintu, who was serving life-term for carnage at Pilkhana headquarters of paramilitary Bangladesh Rifles force, was taken to the hospital after he complained of chest pain at noon at Rajshahi Central Jail, said Shafiqul Islam, superintendent of Rajshahi Jail.

The former president of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal had been staying at the jail since April 20, he added.

Pintu got life imprisonment for his involvement in the killing of 57 army officers during the bloody mutiny at Pilkhana in February 25-26, 2009.