Hours before the deadly attack on prominent anti-India leader Sharif Osman Hadi, the man accused of being the main shooter, Faisal Karim, allegedly hinted at an event of national significance, telling his girlfriend that something was about to happen that would “shake the entire country.” That ominous warning has since taken on chilling significance, as Bangladesh now finds itself engulfed in widespread violence and unrest ahead of the crucial general elections scheduled for February 2026.
Bangladesh descended into chaos on Thursday night following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a radical political figure known for his strong anti-India stance. Protests erupted across the country, quickly spiralling into large-scale violence. Several media houses, cultural institutions, and even the historic residence of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman were set on fire. In another disturbing incident, a Hindu man was reportedly lynched and burned alive following allegations of blasphemy, further deepening communal tensions.
Hadi had been shot last week in Dhaka by masked attackers riding a motorcycle. The assault took place in broad daylight, sending shockwaves through the capital. Faisal Karim, identified as the prime accused in the case, was allegedly one of the shooters. What has since alarmed investigators is that Faisal appeared to anticipate the consequences of the attack. According to reports, on the night before the shooting, while staying at a resort in Savar on the outskirts of Dhaka, he told his girlfriend that an incident was imminent that would shake Bangladesh to its core.
Within hours of that conversation, Faisal and two accomplices allegedly carried out the attack on Hadi. A bullet struck Hadi through one ear and exited from the other, leaving him critically injured. He was rushed to a hospital in Dhaka, where he remained in a serious condition for several days. Under the supervision of the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus, Hadi was later flown to Singapore via air ambulance for advanced treatment. Despite medical efforts, he succumbed to his injuries after several days.
The aftermath of Hadi’s death has been marked by extreme instability. Bangladesh is now grappling with widespread unrest at a time when political tensions were already running high due to the approaching February 2026 elections. The violence has raised serious concerns about law and order, electoral security, and the overall stability of the country.
Sharif Osman Hadi was a controversial figure in Bangladeshi politics. He served as the spokesperson of the Anti-Sheikh Hasina Inqilab Mancha and was also an independent candidate from the Dhaka-8 constituency. His radical rhetoric and political positioning made him both influential and polarising.
According to Bangladeshi investigators, the night before the shooting is a critical piece of the puzzle. Law enforcement agencies probing the case revealed that Faisal Karim had openly hinted at the impending attack during a conversation with his girlfriend, Maria Akhtar Lima. Reports from local media outlets, including Jamuna Television and Daily Jugantor, quoted Faisal as saying that an event would occur the next day that would cause the entire country to tremble. Investigators say these statements, which surfaced during interrogations and from sources close to the investigation, indicate clear prior knowledge and planning.
Authorities believe the attack on Hadi was not an isolated act but part of a carefully orchestrated conspiracy. Investigators claim that the operation involved dozens of individuals, each assigned specific roles such as financing, weapons procurement, logistics, execution, and post-attack escape planning. A former councillor is suspected of being the main architect behind the plot.
So far, nine individuals have been arrested in joint operations carried out by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and the police. Raids linked to the investigation have resulted in the seizure of firearms, ammunition, magazines, and cheques worth several crore taka. Officials have also indicated that information obtained during remand suggests the existence of additional shooter groups prepared to act if necessary.
Investigators stated that substantial funds were invested with the explicit intention of assassinating Hadi. The RAB confirmed the recovery of two magazines and 11 rounds of ammunition from beneath the residence of Faisal’s sister. In a separate operation, police recovered two foreign-made pistols, two magazines, a toy pistol, and 41 rounds of ammunition from a pond in the neighbouring Narsingdi district, all believed to be connected to the attack.
Further investigation revealed that the motorcycle used in the shooting bore a fake number plate. After the attack, Faisal and his accomplices reportedly went into hiding across multiple locations in Dhaka. Police also uncovered evidence suggesting that Faisal’s father may have changed vehicle number plates to help the attackers evade identification.
Although several arrests have been made, the main shooters remain at large. Those detained include Faisal Karim’s parents, his wife, Saheda Parvin Samia, his brother-in-law Wahid Ahmed Shipu, his girlfriend Maria Akhtar Lima, the alleged motorcycle owner Abdul Hannan, and his close associate Md Kabir, among others. Some of the accused are currently on remand, while others remain under surveillance.
Faisal Karim and the other shooters who carried out the attack in broad daylight have not yet been apprehended. Earlier reports in Bangladeshi media suggested that Faisal and his aides may have fled to India. However, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police stated that there was no verified evidence confirming that the attackers had crossed the border. Despite this, the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus urged India to arrest and hand over the suspects.
Adding to the confusion, Jamuna Television reported claims that one of the shooters had travelled from Guwahati to Maharashtra and was allegedly using a Reliance Jio SIM card. These claims, however, remain unverified, and no official confirmation has been issued by Bangladeshi or Indian authorities.
As Bangladesh reels from the fallout of Sharif Osman Hadi’s death, the country stands at a critical juncture. With elections scheduled for February 2026, the surge in violence, political instability, and fear threatens to overshadow the democratic process promised by the Yunus administration, pushing the nation toward an increasingly volatile and uncertain future.
