Missing ex-air force officer found dead

The body of former Bangladesh Air Force Flight Lieutenant KM Tahsif Souri, 28, was recovered from the Turag river in Dhaka on Wednesday, a day after he went missing, with his father suspecting that he was murdered.

According to an inquest report, Tahsif was approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall, with black hair and a short black beard and moustache.

His eyes and mouth were closed when the body was recovered, his hands were bent towards his forehead, and his fists were open. His abdomen was also swollen.

His chest, abdomen, back, legs and other body parts appeared normal, with no visible external injuries, the report said. He was wearing a black-sleeved kabli shirt and white trousers.

A preliminary River Police report said a wristwatch was found on his hand and an iPhone in his pocket. His identity was confirmed using the phone.

Speaking to journalists outside the morgue of Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital on Thursday, after his son’s autopsy, KM Enayetul Karim said he did not believe Tahsif had died by suicide.

His father said a man named Dip came to their home on the evening of October 27 and called Tahsif outside. Tahsif told his mother that he was going to speak to a friend but never returned.

His body was recovered from the river the following afternoon.
Enayetul Karim said he could not identify who might have been responsible or suggest a possible motive. He also said he knew of no disputes or conflicts involving his son.

Describing Tahsif as polite and sociable, he said they shared a close relationship and that his son regularly discussed personal matters with him.

Although losing his Air Force job might have upset Tahsif, his father said he did not believe his son had been facing any serious problems.

Rejecting the possibility of suicide, Enayetul Karim described Tahsif as a lively person who had worked hard to become a commissioned Air Force officer.

He suspected his son had been killed and his body dumped in the river, but said he had no evidence identifying those responsible.

Meanwhile, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Thursday declined to comment on the death, saying he would speak after the initial investigation and autopsy findings were available.

Asked whether Tahsif’s death was linked to a video showing ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina leaving the country, the minister said an initial investigation and an autopsy were needed before any comment could be made.

Constable Md Rakib, who was on duty at the river police control room, confirmed the recovery of the body to The New Nation.

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convenor and MP Nahid Islam has called for an independent and impartial investigation into the death of former Bangladesh Air Force officer K M Tahsif Souri, whose body was recovered from the Turag River in Dhaka on Wednesday, a day after he went missing.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, Nahid expressed shock and deep sorrow over Tahsif’s death and extended his condolences to the bereaved family.

He demanded a thorough investigation to establish what happened to the former officer after his disappearance, saying the findings must be made public.

“If anyone is involved in this incident, they must be identified promptly and brought to justice,” Nahid wrote.

He also prayed for the forgiveness of the deceased, asking Allah to grant him Jannatul Ferdous, and wished the family patience during the difficult time.

Tahsif, 28, was a retired flight lieutenant. Police recovered his body from the Turag River on Wednesday afternoon after receiving information through the national emergency helpline 999.

The body was sent to Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital for an autopsy. The cause of death has not yet been established.

His death has prompted speculation on social media, with some users linking it to controversy surrounding footage of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina leaving Bangladesh on August 5, 2024, following the July uprising.

Tahsif was previously reported to have shared footage of Hasina’s departure. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) later confirmed that he and another Air Force officer associated with the incident had been retired under the force’s prevailing rules and regulations.

However, claims linking his death to the controversy have not been independently verified, and police have yet to establish the circumstances of his death.