A former leader of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal escaped a shooting attempt by unidentified assailants in Panchbibi upazila of Joypurhat last night.

Shamim Hossain, former organising secretary of the Joypurhat district unit of JCD, was meeting fellow political activists when six armed men arrived on two motorcycles and opened fire at close range, according to witnesses.

The incident occurred around 10:00pm in front of Panchbibi Municipality.

Locals managed to detain one of the suspects, Koel Molla, 28.

Panchbibi Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Moinul Islam confirmed the arrest.

"A foreign-made revolver loaded with six rounds of ammunition was recovered from the suspect. He is currently under police custody at Joypurhat 250-Bed General Hospital," said OC Moinul.

When contacted, Shamim Hossain declined to comment.

Police said they are preparing to file a case and have launched a manhunt to arrest the remaining suspects.

"This was a direct attempt on the life of a political figure in the upazila, and we are taking the matter very seriously," OC Moinul added.