Attempted Assassination of Osman Hadi: Authorities Suspect Months-Long Planning

Police say they have found indications of an organized network behind the shooting of Sharif Osman Hadi, convener of the Inqilab Manch and a potential candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency. The attack took place a day after the election schedule for the 13th National Parliamentary Election was announced.

According to investigators, the assault was not spontaneous. Law-enforcement officials believe the plan had been carefully prepared over several months, with arrangements in place for the attackers to flee immediately after the incident. The intended objective, police suspect, was to create large-scale political instability in the country.

Suspects Identified

Police sources say three individuals have so far been identified in connection with the shooting. Faisal Karim Masud, also known as Rahul, allegedly fired the gun while riding on the back of a motorcycle driven by Alamgir Sheikh. Another individual, Rubel, was reportedly involved in surveillance operations prior to the attack. Rubel is said to be associated with the Adabar unit of the Jubo League.

Law-enforcement agencies have recovered photographs showing the three suspects together during Hadi’s public outreach activities. These images have circulated widely on social media. Police say all three are linked to politics aligned with the Awami League.

Possible Link to Wider Violence

Investigators believe Sharif Osman Hadi was followed for at least two months before the attack. The shooting, which occurred the day after the election schedule announcement, may have been part of a broader effort to destabilize the situation nationwide.

On the same night as the attack, buses were set on fire in Dhaka’s Badda area, several cocktail explosions were reported in different locations, and an election office in Lakshmipur was torched. Authorities are examining whether these incidents are connected.

Suspects May Have Fled to India

Law-enforcement agencies suspect that shooter Faisal Karim and motorcycle driver Alamgir Sheikh crossed into India through the Haluaghat border in Mymensingh within 12 hours of the attack. Acting on this suspicion, police conducted operations in border areas of Haluaghat, Dhobaura, and Nalitabari in Sherpur district.

During the operation, two individuals—Sanjay Chisim and Sibiron Dio—were detained on allegations of involvement in human trafficking. They were later brought to Dhaka for questioning.

A source involved in the investigation said Sanjay Chisim admitted during interrogation that he assisted two Bangladeshi nationals in illegally crossing the border between 1:30 and 2:00 a.m. on Friday night. Authorities believe those individuals were Faisal and Alamgir.

At a press briefing on Sunday, DMP Additional Commissioner S N Nazrul Islam said questioning the two detainees could provide further information about those involved in the attack on Sharif Osman Hadi.

Conflicting Travel Records

Police have obtained Faisal’s passport details. According to one account, his last recorded international trip was from Thailand in July, with no official departure records afterward.

However, a statement issued by the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing said investigators had reviewed Faisal’s travel history, which shows that he traveled to multiple countries over the past few years while presenting himself as an IT entrepreneur. The most recent trip, according to that statement, was to Singapore on 21 July.

Motorcycle Owner Arrested

The shooting occurred last Friday afternoon in the Purana Paltan area of Dhaka, where assailants opened fire at Sharif Osman Hadi from a moving motorcycle. Hadi remains in critical condition.

After tracing the registration number of the motorcycle used in the attack, RAB arrested its registered owner, Md Abdul Hannan, from the Chand Udyan area of Mohammadpur. Police say Hannan claimed he sold the motorcycle about a year ago. He has been placed on a three-day remand for further interrogation.

Profile of the Alleged Shooter

Police and local sources describe Faisal Karim as a former central committee member of the now-banned Chhatra League and a former vice-president of Dhaka North Chhatra League. He reportedly maintained close ties with Safi Muddasir Khan (Jyoti), son of former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal. Several photographs of Faisal with Jyoti have circulated online.

Faisal is also said to have had close relationships with multiple local Awami League leaders and associates, including Alamgir Sheikh and Rubel, who are believed to have assisted him.

Investigators note that Faisal previously used the alias “Daud Khan” after August 5 last year.

Past Criminal Cases

In October last year, a robbery involving Tk 1.7 million took place at gunpoint at an office in Adabar. Faisal Karim was named as the prime accused in that case and was arrested with two foreign pistols in November. He later secured bail from the High Court, which was extended for another year in August this year. Police have since submitted charge sheets in both the robbery and arms cases.

According to case documents, Faisal’s address was listed as a residence on PC Culture Road in Adabar. However, residents of that house deny any connection with him or his family. Police officials say Faisal lived there as a tenant before leaving the area after August 5.

Investigations into the attempted assassination are ongoing.