Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent Bangladeshi political activist and aspiring independent parliamentary candidate, has died after being shot in the head earlier this month, Bangladeshi media reported on Thursday.
Hadi, 33, died while undergoing treatment at Singapore General Hospital at around 9:30pm local time on December 18. He had been in critical condition since the attack on December 12.
The official Facebook page of Inqilab Moncho announced his death late Thursday night local time. In a statement, the group said: “The great revolutionary Osman Hadi has been recognised as a martyr (Shaheed) by Allah for his struggle against Indian imperialism.”
Hadi was the convener and spokesperson of Inqilab Moncho, a youth-led political and cultural platform, and had recently announced plans to contest the upcoming Jatiya Sangsad national parliament elections as an independent candidate from the Dhaka-8 constituency, a key seat in the capital.
Hadi, who was widely seen by supporters as one of the most prominent faces of the July 2024 uprising, later announced plans to contest the election, positioning himself outside Bangladesh’s traditional party structures.
Shot in central Dhaka
According to police and eyewitness accounts, Hadi was shot in broad daylight on Friday afternoon in the Paltan Bijoynagar area of central Dhaka, shortly after Friday prayers.
Police said the attackers arrived on three motorcycles near Box Culvert Road, a busy commercial and office area. One of the assailants opened fire at close range, with the bullet striking Hadi’s left jaw and head, before the attackers fled the scene.
He was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where he was admitted to the intensive care unit. Due to the severity of his injuries, he was later transferred to a private hospital in Dhaka and subsequently airlifted to Singapore on Monday for advanced treatment.
Family members said doctors in Singapore were unable to perform surgery because of his unstable condition.
Death threats before the attack
In the weeks leading up to the shooting, Hadi had publicly stated that he was receiving death threats.
In a Facebook post dated November 14, he wrote that he had been threatened with being killed, having his home set on fire, and sexual violence against female members of his family. The post resurfaced on social media following news of his death, prompting widespread anger and renewed calls for accountability.
Just hours before the shooting, Hadi had shared another Facebook post related to his election campaign, noting that he had not put up posters in the Dhaka-8 constituency.
Political reactions and protests
Following confirmation of his death, condolences and reactions came from across Bangladesh’s political spectrum.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Bangladesh Jamaat e Islami, National Citizen Party, and Islami Andolan Bangladesh issued statements mourning Hadi’s death and calling for those responsible to be brought to justice.
Student groups and supporters staged protests at Shahbagh, a central protest site in Dhaka, demanding the immediate arrest of the perpetrators and criticising what they described as delays in the investigation.
Protesters also called for the resignation of Home Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, a retired army general, accusing the authorities of failing to maintain law and order as the country prepares for national elections scheduled for February 2026.
Investigation and alleged flight to India
Bangladesh police said they have arrested at least 14 people in connection with the attack.
Law enforcement agencies identified Faisal Karim Masud as the alleged shooter and Alamgir Sheikh as the motorcycle driver. According to police and Rapid Action Battalion officials, both suspects illegally crossed into India through the Haluaghat border in northern Mymensingh district following the attack.
Two individuals accused of assisting the suspects in crossing the border were produced before a Dhaka court earlier this week and placed on remand for interrogation. Investigators said they are examining who planned and financed the attack.
Bangladeshi authorities indicated that, if the suspects’ presence in India is confirmed, diplomatic engagement would be required to secure their arrest and return.
Concerns over political violence
Hadi’s killing has renewed concerns about political violence and election-related insecurity in Bangladesh.
Rights groups and opposition parties have warned that activists and candidates, particularly those operating outside established political parties, face intimidation and attacks as the election period approaches.
As investigations continue, Hadi’s supporters have said protests will continue until those responsible for his killing are held accountable.
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