Woman stabbed to death in street was from Oldham and knew her attacker

A woman stabbed to death in Bradford was from Oldham, police have revealed.

Kulsuma Akter, 27, from Oldham died after being stabbed on Westgate in Bradford at the junction with Drewton Road at 3:21pm on Saturday. 
 
Kulsuma was taken to hospital but subsequently died from her injuries. Her family are being supported by specially trained officers.  
 
She was with her young baby at the time of the incident - the baby is safe and was not harmed in the incident.   
 
A manhunt is underway for Habibur Masum, 25 who is also from Oldham. Masum is wanted in connection with the murder. He and Kulsuma are known to each other.   

Extensive enquiries are underway to find Masum. The last confirmed sighting was on Saturday at 3.30pm, when he was captured on CCTV getting on a bus at Market Street. He then gets off the bus at 3.42pm on Killinghall Road.  
He is Asian and of slim build.  

He is pictured on CCTV wearing a duffle coat with three large horizontal lines of grey, white and black, light blue or grey tracksuit bottoms with a small black emblem on the left pocket and maroon trainers. 

A witness also reported seeing him wearing a grey hoody with the hood up. Masum has links to Burnley and Chester.  

A 23-year-old man has been arrested in Cheshire on suspicion of assisting an offender. The man remains in police custody. 
 
Due to police having contact with Kulsuma prior to her death, West Yorkshire Police has referred itself to the Independent Office of Police Conduct.  
 
Detective Chief Inspector Stacey Atkinson, of West Yorkshire Police’s Homicide and Enquiry Team, said:  
 
“This is an absolutely tragic incident in which a mother has lost her life in the most horrific of circumstances.  
 
“Over the weekend we have had significant resources following up extensive lines of enquiries to locate Habibur Masum but his whereabouts are unknown.   
 
“The last known sighting of Masum was on CCTV at 3.42pm as he got off the bus on Killinghall Road and walked towards Bradford Moor Park.  
 
“I would urge anyone who has seen him or who knows where he is not to approach him but to contact police immediately on 999. 
    
“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.  
 
Any current sightings of Habibur Masum should be reported to police via 999.