A Hindu priest was hacked to death by three motorcycle-borne men in front of a temple in Bangladesh’s Jhinaidah district on Friday.

According to reports, 45-year-old Shaymanonda Das was a priest at the Radhamadan Gopal Bigraha Math in Jhenaidah district.

He was walking on a highway adjacent to his temple early in the morning when three men riding a motor-cycle attacked him, reported AFP.

Bangladesh has seen a surge in attacks on liberals and religious minorities in recent times. Islamic extremists are said be behind such attacks, with Islamic State having claimed responsibility for some of the killings.

Earlier this month, a Ramkarishna Mission staff in Dhaka had received a threat letter allegedly sent by the militants.

The mission authorities had, on receiving the threat letter, filed a complaint with the Wari Police Station.