Sharif Osman Hadi, an independent candidate for Dhaka-8 and spokesperson for the Inqilab Mancha, was critically injured when two gunmen attacked him on Friday shortly after Jumu’ah prayers in the Bijoynagar area of Dhaka. Following the shooting, Hadi was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), where doctors have described his condition as extremely critical, necessitating immediate transfer to the intensive care unit (ICU).
According to Lutfor Rahman, a security officer at the DR Tower, Hadi was travelling by rickshaw along the Box Culvert area of Bijoynagar around midday after Friday prayers when the assailants arrived on a motorcycle from the direction of a nearby water tank and opened fire. The attackers fled the scene immediately after the shooting.
Imran Hossain Hriday, an on-duty Ansar member, told the media, “I heard a sound like a tyre burst and ran towards it. I saw one person lying in the rickshaw, apparently shot. Another individual was with him. He was then rushed to the hospital for urgent care.”
Faruk, officer-in-charge of the hospital’s police outpost, confirmed that Hadi arrived at the hospital around 2:30 pm in a gunshot-injured state and received immediate treatment. Hospital authorities stated that upon arrival at the emergency department, Hadi’s condition was extremely serious. A doctor on duty reported that Hadi suffered a cardiac arrest shortly after admission, but was temporarily stabilised following CPR. Despite this, his overall condition remains extremely critical.
Hadi is now under close observation in the ICU, with hospital staff making every possible effort to provide intensive care. Authorities emphasised that all relevant medical departments are fully engaged in his treatment.
Muhammad Talebur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner of the DMP Public Relations Department, confirmed that the attack occurred at approximately 2:25 pm when the assailants, arriving on three motorcycles, opened fire on Hadi before fleeing the scene. Israfail Forayzi, a prominent organiser of the July Unity movement, stated that the attack took place during Hadi’s election campaign activities.
Following the incident, Hadi’s supporters have gathered at the hospital in large numbers, while members of the public also congregate near the emergency department. Supporters noted that Hadi had previously received threats from 30 domestic and international phone numbers during November. Earlier on Friday at 11:52 am, Hadi posted on social media noting that his campaign posters in Dhaka-8 were minimal, reflecting the modest nature of his election efforts.
Mirza Abbas, a permanent committee member of BNP and fellow Dhaka-8 candidate, visited Hadi at Dhaka Medical College Hospital around 4:00 pm to check on his condition.