Two policemen also suffered bullet wounds in a shootout between the escaping assassins and police. An ansar commander accompanying Piaru, 52, was also wounded in the attack, reminiscent of another killing in the same club a few months ago.

Piaru, also a senior vice-president of Bangladesh Football Federation, took two bullets in the head and shoulder as a gang of six hiding in the shadow of the club building ambushed him shortly before 10:00pm. The killers opened fire as he came out of the club with the ansar commander, Shamsul Alam, to check a leaky water tank.

"He asked me to follow him and we went behind the building. I heard gunshots and he collapsed," Alam, now being treated for thigh wounds at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), told The Daily Star.

Piaru was declared dead when he was brought to the same hospital.

"There was a dispute over the leadership of the club," the victim's brother-in-law Ekram said, linking the killing to the row.

"About 20 people were inside the club when the attack was made. I saw six armed youths fleeing, as I looked out of the window hearing the gunshots. They also fired at the roof probably to deter us from coming out," a witness said.

Piaru was a contractor and involved in transport business.

Constable Al-Amin and Nayek Hasan, members of a patrol team, were hurt as the assailants opened fire on the team while it chased them after the attack. The policemen were admitted to Rajarbagh Police Lines Hospital.

Piaru became the club president last year after he had been its general secretary for more than six years.

Piaru captained the Brothers Union in 1975 as a national footballer and was also secretary of the Metropolitan Clubs Samity.

Son of Abul Khair, Piaru left behind two daughters and as many sons.

The incident recalls the killing of a youth inside the club a few months ago.