Staff Reporter :
The interim government has announced a cash reward of Tk 5 million for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the gun attack on Inqilab Mancha spokesperson and Dhaka-8 independent parliamentary hopeful
Sharif Osman Hadi.
Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury made the announcement on Saturday while briefing journalists after a Core Committee meeting on law and order at the Home Ministry in the Secretariat.
He said the attackers would be brought under the law swiftly, adding that the incident was part of an attempt to obstruct and derail the upcoming 13th parliamentary election.
“We are offering a cash reward of Tk 50 lakh for information that helps bring the attackers of Osman Hadi to justice,” he said, urging the public to cooperate with law enforcement agencies.
The adviser also ordered the immediate launch of the second phase of the nationwide security drive, titled Operation Devil Hunt Phase 2, aimed at intensifying operations against what the government described as fascist terrorists and at recovering looted and illegal firearms.
He said ongoing drives to seize illegal weapons would be further strengthened and expedited.
“We have decided to begin phase two of Operation Devil Hunt. The operation must be further strengthened to effectively contain the fascist terrorists,” he told reporters.
The original Operation Devil Hunt was launched on 8 February following a violent attack in Gazipur a day earlier, allegedly carried out by individuals loyal to the previous Awami League regime, targeting students and civilians.
Earlier on Saturday, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police said one suspect in the shooting of Osman Hadi had been initially identified and called on anyone with relevant information to come forward.
Addressing security concerns ahead of the national election, the home adviser said firearms had so far been issued only to government officials.
He added that election candidates seeking weapons for personal security would now also be granted firearm licences.
The home adviser said the interim government strongly condemned the attack and was fully committed to ensuring the safety of frontline July movement figures, noting that special security arrangements were being put in place for them.
“No one involved in the attack will be spared,” he said, adding that the case had been given the highest priority.
Osman Hadi was seriously injured on Friday when assailants on a motorcycle opened fire on him in the Bijoynagar Box Culvert area of the capital. He is currently receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital.
The government believes the attack was politically motivated and intended to create instability ahead of the election.
“The interim government will prevent any attempts to obstruct the national election and will deal with such acts firmly,” the home adviser said.
