A homeopath doctor has been hacked to death and a teacher of Islamic University (IU) critically wounded at Shishir Para Math in Kushtia on Friday.

This is the latest of several similar attacks in Bangladesh against atheist bloggers, minorities and others who promote liberal views.

The deceased was homeopath Sanwar Rahman, 60, a resident of East Mazampur area of the district town. He had been providing treatment for local people free of cost on Fridays over the last 12 years.

Critically injured Saifuzzaman, 42, assistant professor of Bangla department at IU, has been brought to Dhaka and is now undergoing treatment at Apollo Hospitals.

Local police chief Proloy Chisim says the two were hit Friday by machete-wielding attackers who fled on a motorbike in the western district of Kushtia.

The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility. Its news agency Amaq said Friday that Sanaur Rahman, a homeopath doctor, was attacked because he promoted Christianity.

The claim could not be verified independently. Bangladesh authorities deny that the Islamic State group has any presence in the country.

The recent killings by suspected Islamist extremists have heightened concerns about the safety of advocates of secularism and free speech in Bangladesh.

Saifuzzaman was a follower of ‘Bangabandhu Parishad’ in the university. He was on education leave abroad for a long time. He returned home recently. He told law enforcers at the hospital that he was driving the motorcycle and the homeopath was seated behind him. He also said that three youths came and started chopping them indiscriminately. He could not recognise anyone, he added. 

Islamic University Teachers Association, Bangabandhu Parishad, Shapla Forum, Zia Parishad, Green Forum and Chhatra League Islamic University unit in separate statements protested and condemned the incident.