Bangladesh: Main Suspect in Sharif Osman Hadi Murder Arrested in West Bengal
Indian authorities have apprehended Faisal Karim Masud, the primary suspect in the assassination of Inqilab Mancha convener Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, along with his accomplice Alamgir Hossain. The arrests were made during a late-night raid on Saturday in Bongaon, West Bengal, near the Bangladesh border.
The Special Task Force (STF) of the West Bengal Police confirmed the arrests in a press release issued this Sunday.
The Operation
Acting on credible intelligence regarding Bangladeshi nationals entering India illegally after committing major crimes—including extortion and murder—STF units conducted a targeted operation.
The two suspects have been identified as:
Faisal Karim Masud (alias Rahul): 37, hailing from Patuakhali. He is a former leader of the Bangladesh Chhatra League.
Alamgir Hossain: 34, a resident of Dhaka and an activist for the Adabor Thana Jubo League.
According to the STF, the duo initially crossed into India via the Meghalaya border. After moving through various locations across India, they arrived in the Bongaon area, allegedly waiting for an opportune moment to slip back into Bangladesh.
Background of the Assassination
Sharif Osman Hadi, a rising political figure who intended to run as an independent candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency, was attacked on December 12 last year.
CCTV footage captured the moment a gunman on the back of a motorcycle opened fire on Hadi while he was traveling in a battery-operated rickshaw in Dhaka’s Purana Paltan area. Following the shooting, Hadi was flown to Singapore for advanced medical treatment, where he tragically succumbed to his injuries on December 18.
Political Motive and Investigation
Investigative officers in Bangladesh suggest the murder was politically motivated, targeting Hadi’s "new style of politics."
Evidence points toward a conspiracy orchestrated by Taijul Islam Chowdhury (Bappi), the former Dhaka North Jubo League Organizational Secretary and an ex-ward councillor. Investigators allege that Faisal Karim Masud fired the fatal shot under Chowdhury's direction, with Alamgir Hossain providing logistical support.
Both suspects were produced before an Indian court today and have been remanded to police custody for further interrogation. Authorities believe the mastermind, Taijul Islam, may also be hiding within Indian territory.
