Sharif Osman Hadi is no more

Sharif Osman Hadi, a fearless fighter on the frontline of the July mass uprising and spokesperson of Inqilab Manch, is no more (Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilayhi Rajiun). He was a potential independent candidate for Dhaka-8 constituency. His death has been confirmed today Thursday (18 December).

Earlier, on Friday (12 December) around 2:30 pm, miscreants on motorcycle shot Sharif Osman Hadi while he was in a battery-run rickshaw in Box Culvert Road area of old Paltan in the capital. In critically injured condition, he was first admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Later, as his physical condition deteriorated, he was transferred to Evercare Hospital in the capital. From there, he was sent to Singapore for advanced treatment and was undergoing treatment at Singapore General Hospital.

Meanwhile, investigations by law enforcement agencies have revealed that for several months before the attack, regular surveillance was conducted on Sharif Osman Hadi's movements, residence and office routes, and his security arrangements. Detectives are trying to find out who was involved behind this long preparation and in whose interest the plan was made.

In investigating the shooting incident on Hadi, investigators have obtained one sensational information after another through searches, information technology analysis and interrogation of arrested accused. These include the search for weapons used in the attack and detailed picture of prime suspect Faisal's criminal network.

Sources related to investigations by RAB and Metropolitan Detective Police (DB) said immediately after shooting Hadi, former Chhatra League leader Faisal Karim Masud alias Daud Khan alias Rahul went to his sister's house in Agargaon. According to the plan, he was supposed to flee after assessing the situation in two days, but seeing the situation adverse, shooter Faisal and motorcycle driver Alamgir Sheikh fled the area that day. Relevant sources claim they have already taken shelter in a neighbouring country.

Detectives further said Faisal's father Humayun Kabir, mother Hasi Begum, wife Saheda Parvin Samia, brother-in-law Wahid Ahmed Shipu and girlfriend Maria Akter Lima knew about Faisal's weapons-related information. Faisal left the weapon-filled bag in the custody of his father Humayun Kabir. However, Humayun Kabir kept the matter secret.

Law enforcement agencies obtained important information about weapons after interrogating Faisal's wife, brother-in-law and girlfriend. In the first phase on Tuesday (16 December), RAB recovered two magazines and 11 rounds of bullets of the firearm used in the attempt to murder from below Faisal's sister's house in Colonel Goli of Agargaon in the capital. These were thrown down from the house fearing law enforcement operations. Based on information given by the arrested, RAB arrested Faisal's parents and another associate Kabir. Later, based on information given by Faisal's parents and associates, five more weapons and 41 rounds of ammunition were recovered from Narsingdi that day.

Director of RAB's Law and Media Wing Wing Commander M Z M Intekhab Chowdhury said the weapon and ammunition used in the shooting of Sharif Osman Hadi were recovered from the water of Tarua Beel in front of Mollabari in Tarua area of Narsingdi Sadar thana.

RAB intelligence sources said some information has been found on mobile phones used by the accused, where names, locations and movements of several more persons are there. These information are still being verified.

Member-Secretary of Inqilab Manch Abdullah Al Jaber filed an attempt to murder case at Paltan police station of DMP over the shooting on Hadi. The case is being investigated by the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP). In this regard, DB Joint Commissioner Mohammad Nasirul Islam told Bangla Tribune, “Interrogation of arrested accused is ongoing. Who had what role in the shooting on Hadi and who are involved behind the scenes—all aspects are being examined.”

So far, RAB and police have jointly arrested 9 persons in this incident. They are— Faisal's wife Saheda Parvin Samia, brother-in-law Wahid Ahmed Shipu, girlfriend Maria Akter Lima, owner of motorcycle used in attack Abdul Hannan, Sanjay Chisim and Sibiran Dio suspected of involvement in human trafficking in border areas, Faisal's close associate and original owner of motorcycle Md. Kabir, and Faisal's father Humayun Kabir and mother Mosammat Hasi Begum. Among them, Abdul Hannan was shown arrested under section 54 and taken on three-day remand on Sunday (14 December). On Monday (15 December), Faisal's wife, brother-in-law and girlfriend were taken on five-day remand. Besides, Kabir has been sent on seven-day remand.