There have been systematic attacks in Bangladesh in recent months on minorities, secular bloggers, intellectuals and foreigners.

Unknown assailants on Friday hacked to death a Hindu ashram inmate in northern Pabna district in Bangladesh.

The murder of 60-year-old Nityaranjan Pandey of the ‘Thakur Anukul Chandra Satsanga Paramtirtha Ashram’ took place even as the security agencies launched a country-wide crackdown on militants on Friday in the wake of the recent spate of murders of activists and religious minorities. At least eight people have been murdered since May 1.

Out for a walk

The local police said that Mr. Pandey was murdered around 6.15 a.m. on Friday, when he was out for his morning walk.

Friday’s murder comes a few days after the brutal killings of a Christian grocer in northern Natore and a Hindu priest in northwestern Jhenaidah.

The police said the assailants attacked Mr. Pandey from behind, hacking his neck and head.

Locals found the body lying on a field, Pabna Sadar police station officer in-charge Abdullah Al Hasan said. The victim had been working at the ashram for the past 40 years. “Since he is diabetic, he goes on a regular morning walk in the area,” said Jugol Kishor, acting secretary of the ashram.

People said Mr. Pandey was a simple man and had no enemies. The motive behind the killing is yet to be known.

Timeline of Bangladeshi bloggers hacked to death