Two devotees were injured as armed assailants opened fire inside a mosque during Fajr prayers in Khulna city on early Sunday.

The incident took place at the West Zone Power Distribution Company Limited Jame Masjid on BL College Road in Daulatpur area of the city.

The injured were identified as Lokman Hakim, 55, son of late Jabbar, and Alam Sheikh, 56, son of late Abdul Khaleque of Uttar Kashipur under Khalishpur Police Station.

According to witnesses, several armed attackers suddenly entered the mosque and opened fire targeting Lokman Hakim when he along with other devotees was offering Fajr prayers.

The incident also left Alam Sheikh, who was offering prayers by Loman Hakim, injured. The attackers fled the scene immediately after the shooting.

Hearing the gunfire, fellow devotees and local residents rushed to the mosque, rescued the injured and took them to Khulna Medical College Hospital.

Hospital sources said Lokman Hakim was referred to Dhaka for advanced treatment as his condition was described as critical.

Senior police officials visited the scene soon after the incident and collected evidence.

Assistant commissioner (Daulatpur Zone) of Khulna Metropolitan Police Md Shafiqul Islam said an investigation is underway to determine the motive behind the attack and identify the perpetrators.

Additional police personnel have been deployed in the area, and the situation remained under control, he said.

The attack inside a mosque triggered panic and outrage among devotees and local residents.

They condemned the incident and demanded the arrest of those responsible.