Girl dies in crocodile grab in Khan Jahan Ali pond
A seven-year-old girl was fatally dragged into a pond by a crocodile at Bagerhat’s Khan Jahan Ali Mazar shrine
ATT Desk Report 
In a horrific incident took place on Monday night, a seven-year-old girl was dragged away by a crocodile while bathing in the historic Khan Jahan Ali Mazar pond in Bagerhat district, raising concerns over tourist safety, reports the Daily Star.
The body was recovered early Tuesday (June 2), Bagerhat Deputy Commissioner (DC) Golam Md Baten confirmed to media.The victim has been identified as Fatema Akhtar, a second-grade student and resident of Khulna city.
The incident took place at the Mohila Ghat of the pond at around 8:15pm. The victim, Fatema, is the daughter of a woman with mental illness. The mother and daughter lived at the shrine, said Fakir Tarikul Islam, chief khadem of the mazar.
"The child went down to bathe when a crocodile suddenly grabbed her leg and dragged her underwater within seconds," he said, adding that everyone was working together to find her.
According to witnesses, locals rushed to the spot after hearing the child's screams. However, she could not be found as of 10:30pm, and rescue efforts were continuing.
A shopkeeper near the shrine ghat, Bina Akter, said to the media, “The girl used to bathe there every day. She went into the water today as well, and as soon as she stepped into the pond, the crocodile dragged her away. She screamed for help, but no one had the courage to pull her from the crocodile’s mouth. People tried throwing bricks at the animal, but it took her to the middle of the pond.”
Fire Service personnel and local residents were conducting a joint rescue operation to locate the missing child.
The pond, located adjacent to the mazar of Khan Jahan Ali, is housing over marsh crocodiles. The reptiles, considered sacred by many locals, have lived in the pond for centuries and are regularly fed by devotees. However, this is the first fatal attack on a child in over a decade.
Previously, on April 8, the same crocodile reportedly dragged away a dog from the ghat, a video of which went viral on social media and sparked nationwide discussion.
The pond remains unprotected despite an incident where the reptile dragged a dog into the water. Even after the incident, people of all ages, from children to the elderly step into the crocodile-infested water every day. But no effective measure has been taken by the administration or even the shrine authorities.
Locals have demanded the immediate removal of the crocodiles, accusing authorities of negligence for not fencing the pond. The tragic incident has cast a dark shadow over the normally serene shrine complex.
