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Howrah shooting: main suspects at large 24 hours after chilling murder; 9 arrested

Rohit Hossain and Harun Khan allegedly shot a real estate developer, Soufik Khan, at point-blank range on a busy street in Howrah on Wednesday.

2 min readKolkataUpdated: Feb 26, 2026 04:40 PM IST

Rohit Hossain (left) and Harun Khan (right) allegedly shot Soufik Khan at point-blank range on a busy street on Wednesday. (Photo by special arrangement)

Even after 24 hours, the main accused in the murder of a real estate developer in the Pilkhana area of Golabari, Howrah, remains at large. A controversy has erupted as photos and videos have gone viral showing one of the accused with North Howrah MLA Gautam Chowdhury of the TMC.

Rohit Hossain and Harun Khan allegedly shot Soufik Khan, 27, at point-blank range on a busy street on Wednesday.

Despite the attackers being clearly visible in CCTV footage, the Golabari police have failed to arrest them.
Meanwhile, the police have arrested three accomplices of the two accused and are interrogating them.

“In connection with the murder case, three people have been arrested,” said a police officer.

The police also arrested six others in a second case filed in connection with the incident. This case relates to an attack on a journalist by locals who also set fire to the assailants’ motorcycle soon after the murder.
It was filed under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 126 (2) (wrongful restraint), 117 (2) (voluntarily causes hurt), 109 (attempt to murder), 324(4) (whoever commits mischief), and 351(2)/3(5).

According to CCTV footage of the Howrah shootout, many people were standing on the street, and the two assailants were hiding in plain sight among the crowd. Suddenly, one of them pulled out a gun and shot Soufik Khan from behind. As he collapsed, the other assailant also opened fire.

“It is shocking how Soufik Khan was shot dead in the middle of the street despite the presence of bystanders, and the attackers have since vanished. It shows a total failure of law and order in Howrah,” said a resident of Pilkhana.

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The murder has sparked concerns about public safety in the area.

Sweety Kumari

Sweety Kumari is a seasoned journalist reporting from West Bengal for The Indian Express. With over a decade of experience in the media industry and eight years specifically with The Indian Express, she demonstrates considerable Expertise and Authority across a diverse range of critical beats. Experience & Authority Current Role: Journalist, The Indian Express, reporting from West Bengal. Extensive Tenure: Over 10 years of experience in the media industry, with a long association (8 years) with The Indian Express, contributing to a high level of Trustworthiness. Diverse Coverage: Covers crucial beats including Crime, Defence, Health, and Politics, alongside writing on trending topics. Investigative Focus: Possesses a keen eye for investigative and human-interest stories, demonstrating depth and skill in impactful journalism. Beat Versatility: Has honed her craft across diverse beats, including aviation and reporting on various incidents, ensuring well-rounded and comprehensive reportage. Career Start: Began her journalistic journey as an Entertainment and lifestyle journalist with a news portal in Kolkata, providing a foundational understanding of media landscape and audience engagement. Education Advanced Education: Holds a PG in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University, equipping her with advanced media theory and skills. Undergraduate Education: Holds an Honours degree in Journalism from Jaipuria College. Multilingual Skill: Her fluency in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Maithili enhances her reach and capability to connect with diverse sources and communities in the region, adding a layer of accessibility and authenticity to her reporting. Regional Roots: Originally from Bihar, she was brought up and educated in Kolkata (Kendriya Vidyalaya Salt Lake), giving her a deep, personal understanding of the cultural and political nuances of her reporting region. Sweety Kumari's combination of significant experience, specialization in key beats like Crime and Politics, and strong academic background makes her a trusted and authoritative contributor to The Indian Express. ... Read More

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