KUSHTIA, Bangladesh, May 21 (UPI) -- The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the hacking death of a homeopathic doctor in western Bangladesh, the latest of similar killings in the country.
Saner Rahman was on a motorbike Friday morning driving to his clinic when he and his passenger were reportedly attacked by a group of three men wielding machetes.
Rahman died at the scene. Hi passenger, Saif uz Zaman, was seriously injuries. The attackers are said to have escaped in the Kushtia district.
While the Islamic State -- also known as ISIL, ISIS and Daesh -- has claimed the attack, authorities continue to insist the radical Islamist group is not present in the country. Officials instead allege homegrown Islamists are the reason for the recent attacks.
Some media reports say the homeopathic doctor promoted secularism while others said he promoted Christianity. Voice of America reported the doctor hosted concerts for Baul singers, whose religious beliefs are opposed by Islamist extremists. District authorities are attempting to identify a motive.
More than 20 similar slayings have occurred in the region, targeting citizens who were known for promoting liberal or alternative views in the country. The victims have included a homosexual magazine editor, a Buddhist monk, a Sufi Muslim leader and a professor, among others.
