An Awami League leader was forcibly freed from police custody after a group of people attacked officers and vandalised their vehicle in Sylhet's Jaintapur upazila on Monday evening.

The leader, Zakaria Mahmud, office secretary of the Jaintapur upazila Awami League, was reportedly still handcuffed when the attackers took him away.

Police said the incident occurred around 7pm near Poricher Bridge, shortly after officers detained Zakaria at Haripur Bazar.

As police were taking him to Jaintapur Police Station, a group of people erected a barricade across the road and intercepted their vehicle.

The attackers then assaulted the officers, freed Zakaria and vandalised the police car.

Sylhet Superintendent of Police Dr Chowdhury Md Jaber Sadek confirmed the incident on Monday night.

"Police arrested Zakaria during an operation in the evening. On their way back, a group blocked the vehicle and snatched him away," he said.

The SP said law enforcement operations in Haripur frequently faced resistance.

"Haripur is somewhat like this. Such incidents happen there quite often. Whenever police conduct an operation in that area, they face challenges," he said.

No police personnel were injured in the attack, although the vehicle sustained damage.

Police have launched an operation to rearrest Zakaria and identify and apprehend those involved in the attack.

Authorities did not immediately disclose the allegations or charges that prompted Zakaria's initial detention.

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