Inqilab Mancha spokesperson and Dhaka-8 parliamentary constituency candidate Sharif Osman Hadi has been shot by unidentified assailants in the capital’s Purana Paltan area. He was quickly rescued from the scene and rushed to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment. The shooting occurred on Friday, 12 December, at approximately 2:00 pm, creating immediate tension and concern in the surrounding area.
According to initial accounts, unidentified gunmen arrived on a motorcycle and opened fire on Osman Hadi as he was returning home after performing Jumu’ah prayers. Witnesses in the vicinity reportedly aided in moving him to safety before he was taken to hospital. The incident was later confirmed by Md Faruk, the officer in charge of the Dhaka Medical College police outpost, who stated that Hadi had been brought in with gunshot wounds and was undergoing urgent medical care.
The attack took place nearly a month after Osman Hadi publicly claimed that he had been receiving death threats. On 13 November, he stated that multiple foreign numbers had been contacting him repeatedly, sending both phone calls and text messages containing alarming threats. He had expressed deep concern for his personal safety and that of his family, stating that the nature and frequency of the threats had created a climate of constant fear around them.
On the night of the threats, he wrote in a Facebook post that within just three hours he had received no fewer than 30 calls and text messages from individuals he described as “League’s killers”, all originating from foreign numbers. According to his account, the messages suggested that he was being placed under continuous surveillance. The threats reportedly included plans to set fire to his residence, sexually assault his mother, sister, and wife, and ultimately kill him.
In the same post, he added that those issuing the threats claimed their objective was to settle what they described as the “blood debt of 1,400 martyrs”. He wrote that they warned him that not only would his home be burned, but he himself might be killed by fire if necessary. Despite the severity of these threats, Hadi declared firmly that he would not retreat from what he termed the struggle for justice and accountability.
Following Friday’s shooting, supporters, political observers, and members of the wider public expressed profound concern regarding his safety. Many have demanded immediate action from the authorities to identify the attackers and bring them to justice. Although police officials have acknowledged the incident, they have yet to provide details regarding potential motives or suspects. An investigation is expected to focus both on the shooting and on the earlier threats Hadi reported.
Medical authorities have not yet issued an update on the full extent of his injuries. Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies are reportedly examining all angles, including the possibility that the attack may be linked to the prior threats he had publicly posted about. The authorities have not released any formal statement on the progress of the investigation, but pressure is mounting from various quarters for swift and transparent action.