Dhaka (AsiaNews/Ucan) -- A Bangladeshi Christian doctor who converted from Islam 15 years ago has been killed by men local media described as militants.

The Bengali daily newspaper "Janakantha" reported that "Islamic warriors" killed Doctor Gani Mondol on the night of Sept. 18 as he was walking home from work in Jamalpur district, 140 kilometers north of Dhaka. The daily mentioned that local people cited the manner in which Mondol was slain -- his throat was slit -- as consistent with the way the "warriors" operate.

Mondol was buried two days earlier; aA Protestant pastor conducted the funeral rites and burial, attended also by Muslims.

Some local Muslims did not take kindly to his conversion 15 years ago, and that they had been spreading rumors about him. However, she reported that Mondol's two elder brothers, both Muslims, maintained good relations with him.

The government doctor embraced Christianity through affiliation with the Baptist Church, but also has associated with the Catholic Church in recent years. She explained that his relations with both Protestant and Catholic Churches enabled him to serve local people through Church relief and social projects.

A Catholic priest confirmed that the doctor was active in social work and tried to arrange free medical care for poor patients he could not treat.

Recently Mondol was involved in relief work for people affected by Bangladesh's worst flooding in years.

Shanti Rani Sister Monju Margaret Costa, who attended the funeral, told local people informed her that Mondol had mortgaged his land for 40,000 taka (about US$690) to use in flood relief. According to Gomes, Mondol organized prayer services for Catholics at Christmas and Easter if there was no priest available to say Mass.