Mother stabbed to death while pushing baby in pram named as Kulsuma Akter

A mother who was stabbed to death while pushing a baby in a pram in Bradford has been named as Kulsuma Akter.

The 27-year-old was attacked in the Westgate area of Bradford city centre on Saturday afternoon, West Yorkshire Police said.

A man hunt is under way to locate the suspect, who has been named by police as Habibur Masum.

The force has appealed to members of the public to report any sightings of the 25-year-old, who is from the Oldham area.

A 23-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, but Mr Masum remains at large.

Addressing a press conference on Monday afternoon, Assistant Chief Constable Damien Miller, from West Yorkshire Police, said that Ms Akter was stabbed “multiple times” shortly before 3.20pm.

He told reporters: “Kulsuma was with her young baby at this time, and was walking along Westgate when she was attacked and stabbed multiple times.”

Emergency services were called at 3.21pm, but despite the efforts of the public, ambulance crews and hospital staff, Ms Akter died from her injuries.

“Her baby is safe and well and was not harmed in this incident,” Mr Miller added.

A knife was recovered from the scene, the force said.

Greater Manchester Police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) due to previous contact with Ms Akter and the suspect.

Detective Superintendent Jude Holmes from GMP Oldham district said: “We share the shock and concern that our communities feel in the wake of this tragic incident, and our thoughts are with Kulsuma Akter’s family at this truly distressing time.

“Habibur Masum is wanted by West Yorkshire Police on suspicion of murder.

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“Due to his links to Greater Manchester, we have our specialist officers following several lines of enquiry to locate him. I urge members of the public to remain vigilant, and if you have any information on his whereabouts, call 999 as a matter of urgency.

“Due to previous police contact with Habibur Masum and Kulsuma Akter, Greater Manchester Police has made a referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.”

Mr Masum – described as an Asian man of slim build – was named as a suspect by West Yorkshire Police on Sunday.

Officers searching for him have conducted “a number of raids” in Burnley, Oldham, and Chester, during which a 23-year-old was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Mr Miller said Masum was last seen walking in the direction of a park having got off a bus.

“Masum is a slim Asian man and was last seen wearing a duffle coat with three large horizontal lines, grey tracksuit bottoms and maroon trainers,” he said.

“On Saturday he was captured on CCTV getting on a bus.

“He was last seen walking in the direction of Bradford Moor Park, this is our last confirmed sighting of him.”

A witness previously reported seeing Mr Masum wearing a grey hoodie with the hood up.

He is believed to have links to the Burnley and Chester areas.

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Detective chief inspector Stacey Atkinson, of West Yorkshire Police’s Homicide and Enquiry Team, said on Sunday: “We have had significant resources following up a number of lines of enquiry to locate Habibur Masum but at this time his whereabouts are unknown.

“A knife was recovered from the scene of the murder, but we cannot say if Habibur Masum is armed, and I would urge anyone who does see him not to approach him but to call 999 immediately.

“If anyone has any information about his movements or whereabouts since 3.20pm on Saturday please contact police as a matter of urgency.

“We understand that the murder of a young woman in such shocking circumstances has caused considerable concern in the local community.

“Residents can expect to continue to see a significant police presence in Bradford as we make further enquiries and conduct reassurance patrols in the area.”

Any current sightings of Masum should be reported to West Yorkshire Police via 999.

Any other information that could assist the investigation should be reported via Live Chat online or by calling 101, quoting log 1071 of April 6.