Bradford: Mother's heartbreak after Kulsuma Akter, 27, stabbed to death while shopping with baby

Kulsuma Akter was stabbed to death while pushing her five-month-old son
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Family of a 27-year-old woman who was knifed to death in Bradford while shopping with her baby have spoken of her mother’s anguish.

Kulsuma Akter was stabbed in the neck on Saturday afternoon as she pushed her five-month-old son in a pram while shopping in the Westgate area of Bradford city centre.

A 25-year-old man from Oldham has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Speaking to the BBC on Tuesday, Ms Akter’s cousin Aftab Miah said the victim’s mother, who lives in Banlgadesh, is distraught and that her family wants “justice”.

He said Ms Akter's mother had "never stopped crying" since the tragedy, and was "all the time mentioning her [daughter’s] name".

He described Ms Akter as “very caring and humble”, and said she had moved to Oldham around two years ago, with her husband.

"She used to make people laugh," he said. "She was a wonderful lady...a good, humble, likeable person - a caring person.

"I am going to miss her very much."

"All we want is justice," he added. "Not revenge or anything, just justice for our sister."

The scene of the crime in Bradford city centre
PA Wire

A man is understood to have been arrested in the early hours of Tuesday morning in the Aylesbury area in Buckinghamshire.

A large police manhunt had been underway for the 25-year-old Habibur Masum following Ms Akter’s killing.

Ms Akter was taken to hospital but subsequently died from her injuries. Her family is being supported by specially trained officers.         Her young baby is safe and was not harmed in the incident, police have confirmed.

West Yorkshire Police and Greater Manchester Police have referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct watchdog over previous contact with Masum and Ms Akter. Police had previously confirmed the couple were known to each other.

A 23-year-old man was also arrested in Cheshire on suspicion of assisting an offender and he remains in police custody.

Bradford city centre stabbing
West Yorkshire Police shared CCTV footage of Habibur Masum as they earlier searched for him
West Yorkshire Police/PA Wire

Detective Chief Inspector Stacey Atkinson said: “This is a tragic incident in which a mother has lost her life in the most horrific of circumstances.         “We understand that this has caused a considerable amount of concern in the local community. Local Neighbourhood Policing teams are patrolling the area conducting reassurance to the community.  

“We would like to thank Thames Valley Police for their support and assistance in this matter.”  

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