The 'Pir', Farhad Hossain Chowdhury, 72, is identified as a former president of the BNP's Dinajpur Municipality unit.

Superintendent of Dinajpur Police Hamidul Alam said from the scene that “the two were shot and hacked.”

The bodies were found at Farhad's house 'Dawla Darbar Sharif'.

"The miscreants shot and hacked them at their chests around 9:30pm. We are collecting evidence and arranging post-mortem examination of the bodies," the SP said.

Sayedul, a follower of Farhad, told bdnews24.com that every night Zikr and Milad (special rituals) were held at the house.

Another follower, Sumi, came to participate in the rituals. She called Sayedul after getting no response from Farhad for a long time.

"When I came, I saw the blooded dead body of the Hujur (what the followers call Pirs)," Sayedul said.

Earlier, Bochaganj Police Station OC told bdnews24.com over the phone that "We have come to the scene after being informed by the locals that the two were found with throats slit.”

"We are yet to ascertain when the murders took place and who carried the murder," OC Habibul Islam Prodhan said adding "police went to the area Monday night after being informed about the incident."

The house help was identified as 'Rupali', 22.