Dhaka: Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Monday described the attack on eminent writer Dr Muhammed Zafar Iqbal as an act of communal evil force’s target killing group which is backed by BNP.

‘It was a targeted attack. The attackers are members of the target killing group of a communal evil force, and BNP is its backer,’ he said.

Quader, also the Road Transport and Bridges Minister, came up with the remarks while speaking at a meeting organised at the Nagar Bhaban in the run-up to Awami League’s planned March 7 rally at Suhrawardy Udyan.

The ruling party leader urged BNP to stop patronising evil forces. ‘People will give you a befitting reply through ballots in the next polls if you continue abetting the evil forces.’

Disapproving of BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir’s allegation that Awami League is trying to hide Zafar Iqbal’s attackers, he said they arrested the attacker instantly and will expose those involved in it. ‘What did we hide since we arrested the attacker immediately?’

Quader said they also ensured better treatment for Zafar Iqbal and the Prime Minister is monitoring it.

Earlier on Sunday, Quader said the attack on Dr Zafar Iqbal was made by BNP-sponsored conspirators.

In his party’s reaction later, the BNP secretary general termed ‘irresponsible’ Quader’s comment and said it is the ruling party’s evil attempt to hide the perpetrators.