West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday expressed her shock that her close aide Babla Sarkar was allegedly killed in Malda district.

TMC leader Dalal alias Babla Sarkar was shot dead on Thursday. Four assailants on two motorcycles came from behind and fired four rounds, police said. Babla Sarkar was hit by three bullets which injured his shoulder.

“My close associate, and a very popular leader, Babla Sarkar was killed today. From the inception of the Trinamool Congress, he (and his wife Cheitali Sarkar) worked hard for the party, and Babla was also a councillor. Chosen,” Mamata Banerjee said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

He expressed shock and sorrow over the incident and demanded immediate action against the accused. He expressed his condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for patience to Cheitali.

“I am saddened and shocked after learning about this incident. The accused should be arrested immediately. I am so shocked and saddened that I don’t know how to express my condolences to the bereaved family. May God bless Cheitali with long life and Give strength to fight the war,” added Banerjee.

Following the incident, Trinamool leader Abhishek Banerjee called on the police to act swiftly, stressing that political affiliations should not influence the investigation.