Criminals stabbed an Awami League upazila unit leader and a Jubo League leader in Ishwardi Railway Station area yesterday afternoon.

Shahinuzzaman Shahin, 40, former joint secretary of Ishwardi upazila unit of Jubo League, was admitted to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital in critical condition while Masud Rana, 45, organising secretary of Ishwardi upazila Awami League unit, was admitted to a private hospital.

Police and locals said Shahin and Masud went to Ishwardi Railway Station area around 12:00pm when criminals swooped on them and stabbed them in the crowded area.

They also cut the tendons of Shahin's hand and leg, said Abdul Halim Khan, officer-in-charge of Ishwardi GRP police.

Officer-in-Charge Md Azim Uddin of Ishwardi Police Station said the criminals might have attacked them over previous political enmity.

“The incident happened at a place which is under the GRP police's jurisdiction so the case would be filed with Ishwardi GRP station. GRP police will investigate the incident,” the OC said.