Faisal shot him while Alamgir drove motorbike: Police

Staff Reporter :

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has detained the wife, brother-in-law, and a female associate of Faisal Karim Masud, the prime suspect in the attempted murder of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Mancha and a potential parliamentary candidate for Dhaka-8.

The detainees have been identified as Masud’s wife Samia, his brother-in-law Shipu, and a friend named Maria.

According to RAB, Samia and Shipu were detained in Narayanganj on Sunday, while Maria was detained in Dhaka. All three were later handed over to Paltan Police Station.

RAB Director (Law and Media Wing) Wing Commander MZM Intekhab Chowdhury said several cheque books allegedly signed by Faisal Karim Masud, along with electronic devices, were recovered during the operation.

He stated that the individuals were detained on suspicion of being in contact with the prime suspect both before and after the shooting of Sharif Osman Hadi.

“They have been handed over to the concerned police station, and further investigation will be carried out by the police,” he added.

Earlier the day, officials said, police have identified two suspects in the
shooting of Sharif Osman Hadi, but said no case has yet been filed nearly two days after the attack.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police Additional Commissioner (Crime and Operations) SN Md Nazrul Islam said at a press briefing on Sunday that Faisal Karim Masud fired the shots at close range while Md Alamgir Sheikh drove the motorcycle used in the attack.

“We have identified both suspects and are conducting raids at different locations to arrest them. The drives are still ongoing,” Nazrul Islam said at the DMP Media Centre.

The shooting took place at around 2:24pm on Friday on Box Culvert Road in Bijoynagar, near DR Tower.

Hadi was travelling in a battery-powered auto-rickshaw when a motorcycle that had been following him from behind pulled alongside and an assailant opened fire, hitting him in the head.

He was first taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where he underwent surgery, and was later shifted to Evercare Hospital the same night. His condition remains critical, police said.

Hadi’s associates alleged that the attackers had been present around his election campaign activities since the morning of the incident.

They also claimed that the suspects had approached Hadi a few days earlier seeking to join his campaign and were welcomed by him.

Meanwhile, rumours circulated on social media suggesting that the two main suspects had fled to neighbouring India and reached Guwahati. Police said they could not confirm the claims.

“We have checked the immigration database and found no information indicating that they have left the country legally,” Nazrul Islam said.

“We have obtained Faisal’s passport details. His last foreign trip was in July, when he returned from Thailand.

There is no record of him travelling abroad after that.” He added that Border Guard Bangladesh has been alerted to prevent any illegal border crossings.

“At this moment, we cannot confirm whether they have fled the country or are still inside Bangladesh,” he said.

In connection with the incident, police have detained two other suspects – Sibion Dio and Sanjay Chisim – on suspicion of involvement in facilitating illegal cross-border movement. They were arrested during a raid in Nalitabari of Sherpur district, according to police.

Nazrul Islam also said the owner of the motorcycle used in the attack has been detained and is being questioned.

Separately, the Rapid Action Battalion detained Md Abdul Hannan, suspected to be the motorcycle’s owner, and handed him over to police. A Dhaka court later placed Hannan on a three-day police remand.

Despite the developments, no formal case has yet been filed over the shooting. Police said Hadi’s family members have been preoccupied with his medical treatment.

“We have been making efforts for the past two days to have the family file a case,” Nazrul Islam said.

“A general diary has already been recorded. We are trying to prepare the case statement today and obtain the family’s signatures at the hospital.”

He added that if the family fails to lodge a case, police will file the case themselves as the complainant.