A BJP worker closely associated with senior party leader was shot dead in a late-night attack in West Bengal’s under the North 24 Parganas district.

The deceased, identified as Chandranath Rath, was travelling in a car through the Dohariya area when unidentified assailants on motorcycles allegedly intercepted the vehicle and opened fire indiscriminately. He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.

The driver of the vehicle, Buddhadeb Bera, sustained serious bullet injuries and was later shifted to a hospital in Kolkata for advanced treatment. Medical sources said Chandranath suffered fatal gunshot wounds to the heart and abdomen, while Buddhadeb received injuries to his chest, abdomen, and arm.

According to preliminary information, around eight attackers riding four motorcycles had reportedly been trailing the vehicle before carrying out the ambush, allegedly with prior knowledge of the route being taken.

Chandranath Rath, originally from East Midnapore, had been residing in Madhyamgram for several years and was actively associated with BJP organisational work linked to Suvendu Adhikari in the Bhabanipur area. Buddhadeb Bera was also reportedly part of the same political team.

The incident has triggered fresh concerns over the law-and-order situation in the state, with political tensions likely to escalate following the killing.