A missing Awami League (AL) leader was found dead in Santhia upazila of Pabna yesterday, with police saying preliminary findings suggest he was strangled to death.

The body was recovered from a bamboo grove in Ratanpur village under Bhulbaria union in the upazila. It was sent to the Pabna General Hospital morgue this morning for an autopsy.

The deceased was identified as Md Abdul Shukur, 48, son of Rukum Ali and a resident of Ratanpur village. Police and locals said Shukur was the vice-president of the Ward No. 9 unit of the Bhulbaria Union Awami League.

Md Mojibar Rahman, officer-in-charge (OC) of Ataikula Police Station, said family members reported that Shukur had been missing since Friday. After failing to contact him, they informed the police.

During the investigation, police recovered his body from the bamboo grove in the village yesterday afternoon, the OC said.

"The victim was strangled to death, and his body was dumped here," he said.

Asked about the motive behind the killing, the OC said that although the victim was active in Awami League politics, he had previous links with outlawed operatives and was also involved in illegal usury.

"Primarily, we suspect that previous enmity might be the reason behind the killing," he added.

Shukur's wife has filed a case against unidentified individuals with Ataikula Police Station.

The OC said police were investigating the incident and working to arrest those responsible.