Osman Hadi, the prominent spokesperson of Inqilab Mancha and a well-known political activist, has died following a brutal armed attack that shocked the nation and reignited concerns over political violence and public safety. His death was confirmed late on Thursday night (18 December) through a post published on his verified Facebook page.
The post described Hadi as a “great revolutionary” who had stood firmly against what it termed “Indian hegemony”, adding that he had been accepted as a martyr by Almighty Allah. The announcement prompted an outpouring of grief from supporters and renewed debate across political and civil society circles.
Only days earlier, on 12 December, Osman Hadi had concluded an election campaign event in Motijheel after performing the Friday prayers. At approximately 2:20 pm that afternoon, while travelling by autorickshaw towards Suhrawardy Udyan, he was ambushed in the Box Culvert area under Paltan Model Police Station. According to investigators, assailants riding a motorcycle opened fire with the clear intent to kill before fleeing the scene.
Hadi was rushed in a critical condition to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery. Owing to the severity of his injuries, he was later transferred to Evercare Hospital. On Monday, doctors advised that he be flown to Singapore for advanced treatment. Despite medical intervention abroad, he succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment there.
Law enforcement agencies have since revealed that the attack was not spontaneous. Investigators found that Hadi’s daily movements, residential address, office routes and security arrangements had been under surveillance for several months prior to the shooting, indicating careful planning.
Further investigation uncovered that following the attack, a former Chhatra League leader, Faisal Karim Masud, also known as Dawood Khan, sought refuge at his sister’s residence in Agargaon. Subsequently, the alleged shooter Faisal and motorcycle driver Alamgir Sheikh fled the country.
In a joint operation, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and the Detective Branch (DB) recovered weapons and ammunition used in the attack. On Tuesday (16 December), two magazines and 11 rounds of ammunition were seized from beneath a house in Colonel Goli, Agargaon. Later, five more firearms and 41 rounds of ammunition were recovered from Narsingdi.
A case of attempted murder was filed at Paltan Police Station by Inqilab Mancha member secretary Abdullah Al Jaber. The case is currently being investigated by the Detective Branch of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police. So far, nine individuals have been arrested and placed on remand for questioning. Authorities have stated that the investigation remains ongoing and further arrests may follow.
Key Developments at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Victim | Sharif Osman bin Hadi (Osman Hadi) |
| Date of Attack | 12 December |
| Location of Attack | Box Culvert area, Paltan, Dhaka |
| Date of Death | 18 December |
| Weapons Recovered | 7 firearms |
| Ammunition Recovered | 52 rounds |
| Arrests So Far | 9 suspects |
| Investigating Agency | DMP Detective Branch (DB) |
Osman Hadi’s death has left a profound impact on the political landscape, with supporters demanding justice and stronger measures to prevent such targeted violence in the future.