Staff Reporter :
The escape of the prime suspect in the shooting of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Mancha, has sparked widespread uproar both online and offline, as conflicting reports continue to circulate.
Some sources claim the suspect has fled to India, while others insist the suspect is still inside the country. Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has said the matter has not yet been confirmed.
BGB stated that it has not been verified whether the gunman involved in the shooting crossed into India through the Mymensingh border.
Speaking on Monday at the Khagdahar BGB camp in Mymensingh, Sector Commander Colonel Sarker Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman said there was no definitive information yet to establish that the attackers crossed the border following the shooting.
He said that by 9am on Friday, acting on instructions from BGB headquarters, potential human-trafficking and escape routes had been identified and patrols and checkposts were set up across most border areas.
The following day, a joint operational plan was prepared with police, with regular coordination maintained with officers who arrived from Dhaka.
Colonel Mostafizur Rahman said two locations were selected for coordinated operations. One targeted the arrest of Philip Snal in Nalitabari, Sherpur, while another team was assigned to conduct an operation in the Haluaghat area.
Intelligence sources and other information related to the Haluaghat operation were shared with police.
A joint raid was carried out in the Baromari area of Nalitabari under BGB leadership, with participation from police teams from Dhaka and Haluaghat Police Station.
Although Philip Snal could not be arrested, his wife Delta Chiran, his father-in-law Yiarson Rongdi, and human trafficker Luis Lengminza were detained. A motorcycle was also seized from their residence.
BGB officials said a total of four people have been arrested so far in connection with the case. On Monday morning, another suspected human trafficker, Benjamin Chiram, was arrested and is currently being interrogated.
Meanwhile, Tasnim Jhuma of Inqilab Mancha in a Facebook post on Monday said that they have received information from various sources that the perpetrator is still in the country.
“We have received information from various sources that the perpetrator is still in the country. Do not try to create drama and propaganda to help the criminals escape. Even if they are in hell, they must be brought back from hell and made to stand before us,” she wrote.
In another post, she wrote, “It is crucial for you to know many truths. I want to inform you where Bangladesh’s sovereignty has reached. There is no room left to trust anyone.”
Meanwhile, a case of attempted murder has been filed with Paltan Police Station over the shooting of Sharif Osman Hadi. The case was lodged by Abdullah Al Jaber, member secretary of Inqilab Moncho.
Confirming the filing, Officer-in-Charge of Paltan Police Station Mostafa Kamal Khan said Faisal Karim Masud has been named as the prime accused, with several others listed as unnamed suspects.
In a related development, a Dhaka court on Monday granted five days’ remand for three accused, including the wife of the main suspect.
The Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Jashita Islam, approved the remand for Saheda Parvin Samia, wife of Faisal Karim Masud Rahul Daud (37), her brother Wahid Ahmed, and another accused, Maria Akter Lima, described as a close associate of Faisal.
Earlier, the investigating officer, DB Police Inspector Faisal Ahmed, produced the accused before the court and sought seven days’ remand for each. Following the hearing, the court granted five days’ remand.
The attempted murder case was filed on Sunday at Paltan Police Station, accusing the suspects under several sections of the Penal Code, including criminal conspiracy, attempted murder, voluntarily causing grievous hurt using dangerous weapons, and abetment.
According to the first information report, the accused Faisal Karim Masud Rahul Daud and other unidentified individuals were previously linked to leaders and activists of the Awami League and its affiliated organisations under the leadership of the former prime minister.
The complaint alleges that they attempted to suppress the mass uprising through killings and enforced disappearances, though the authoritarian government ultimately fell during the July 2024 uprising following widespread public participation.
The case statement further alleges that the attack was carried out with prior planning to obstruct the upcoming national election, weaken the morale of candidates, and create political instability. After the incident, the accused reportedly went into hiding.
