Story highlights The 52-year-old victim was gathering flowers when he was attacked

A witness said three men were involved in the killing

(CNN) A Hindu priest was hacked to death at his temple in Bangladesh's southwestern district of Jhenaidah early Friday, police said.

It is the latest incident in a wave of suspected religious-based murders, despite a nationwide crackdown by the Bangladeshi government, including the arrest of more than 14,000 people

The victim was Shyamananda Das, a 52-year-old priest.

He was gathering flowers, likely to be offered in prayers at the Sri Sri Radha Madan Gopal Bigrohomot temple, when the attack took place, Gopinath Kanjilal, Assistant Superintendent of Police of Jhenaidah district, Sador circle told CNN.

"Three men rode up on one bicycle. They were wearing helmets. They jumped off, attacked the priest, and then rushed away," Kanjilal said, citing one witness account.

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