India’s West Bengal Police Special Task Force (STF) conducted a decisive late-night operation on Saturday, 7 March 2026, in Bongaon, North 24 Parganas district, resulting in the arrest of Faisal Karim Masud, the primary accused in the murder of political spokesperson Osman Hadi, along with his associate Alamgir Hossain. The arrests were confirmed by the news agency ANI on Sunday evening, 8 March 2026.
According to STF sources, both individuals are Bangladeshi nationals who had previously committed serious crimes, including extortion and murder, before illegally entering India. Intelligence reports indicated that the duo was attempting to hide in the Bongaon border area with the intention of eventually returning to Bangladesh. These reports were deemed “confidential and credible” by authorities.
Preliminary interrogation revealed that Faisal Karim Masud and Alamgir Hossain had fled to India after assassinating Osman Hadi, a prominent political activist in Bangladesh. They allegedly crossed into India illegally via the Meghalaya border and moved across various locations before taking shelter in Bongaon.
The STF carried out a specialised late-night raid in Bongaon, successfully apprehending both suspects. They were produced before the court on Sunday and subsequently taken into police custody, with formal charges filed in connection with the murder and related offences.
The table below summarises the key details of the arrests:
| Name | Position/Relation | Citizenship | Arrest Location | Arrest Date | Alleged Crimes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faisal Karim Masud | Main accused, Hadi murder | Bangladeshi | Bongaon, North 24 Parganas | 7 March 2026 | Murder, extortion, serious crimes |
| Alamgir Hossain | Associate | Bangladeshi | Bongaon, North 24 Parganas | 7 March 2026 | Aiding and abetting, illegal entry |
West Bengal Police have described this operation as a critical step in maintaining security along the international border and curbing serious criminal activities. Authorities emphasised that bringing the main perpetrators of Osman Hadi’s murder to justice was a priority and represents a significant success for law enforcement collaboration.
The incident has sparked concern in Bangladesh, particularly regarding the safety of political activists. The STF, alongside local police, has launched a more detailed investigation to map the full network behind the assassination.
This operation underscores the necessity of robust crime control in the India-Bangladesh border region and highlights the importance of coordinated cross-border law enforcement efforts to tackle transnational criminal activities effectively.