A local leader of ruling Awami League has died in Rajshahi shot from his own pistol. Blames have been placed on a friend who went into hiding soon after the incident.

The victim was Ziaul Haque Tuku, treasurer of Rajshahi district AL and an ex-administrator of Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), our local correspondent reports.

Gunshots were heard from his Kadiraganj office room around 4:30pm, Shahdat Hossain, officer-in-charge of Boalia Police Station, told The Daily Star.

Victim's brother Aminul Islam Bachchu said at least five people including Tiku were present in the room when incident took place. They rushed him to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital where he succumbed to injuries.

Asaduzzaman Asad, general secretary of district AL said Tuku was chatting with one Nayan, Jasim, Rabiul and Tariqul in the office. "Nayan, a friend of his, went to visit him at his office from Dhaka. He has fled after the incident."

Nayan said to have admitted to Asad over phone that he "accidentally" shot Tuku while scrutinising the gun on his palm.

Mohammad Shamsuddin, commissioner of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP) said that Nayan's hands were behind the incident. "We are trying our best to nab Nayan.