Bangladesh: Prof Zafar Iqbal stabbed, now 'out of danger'

Eminent Bangladeshi science fiction writer and educationist Prof. Muhammad Zafar Iqbal was brought to Dhaka by air ambulance after being stabbed on the campus of Shahjalal University of Science & Technology in Sylhet on Saturday.

Reports on various media outlets in Bangladesh said that the assailant might have hit Iqbal, 65, on his head by rod and stabbed on his back and hand at around 5:40 pm.

Prof. Iqbal was attacked when he was climbing to the podium of a science festival to address the students in the afternoon.

The accused was caught red-handed and taken to custody for interrogation. The identity has not been revealed yet.

Soon after the attack, Iqbal was rushed to Osmani Medical College Hospital in Sylhet, where the physicians said he was "out of danger".

Reports said, as per Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's orders, he was then brought to Dhaka Combined Military Hospital by air ambulance for better treatment.

Osmani Medical Director Brig Gen Mahbubul Haque Chowdhury said during a press briefing late Saturday night that the doctors there had put 26 stitches on Zafar's head, left arm and back.