India arrests suspects in killing of Bangladeshi activist Osman Hadi
Indian police arrest near border two Bangladeshi suspects in killing of political activist Sharif Osman bin Hadi, case that sparked protests in Bangladesh
DHAKA, Bangladesh (MNTV) — Police in eastern India have arrested two Bangladeshi nationals suspected of involvement in the killing of Bangladeshi political activist Sharif Osman bin Hadi, a shooting that triggered protests and diplomatic tension between Bangladesh and India late last year.
Among those detained is Faisal Karim Masud, identified by Bangladeshi investigators as the main suspect in the attack that killed Hadi, a leader of the political group Inqilab Moncho, a platform associated with opposition activism in Bangladesh. Hadi had been considered a potential candidate for the Dhaka-8 parliamentary constituency.
According to Indian media reports citing a statement from the West Bengal Police Special Task Force, the suspects were arrested late Saturday near Bongaon, a town in India’s eastern state of West Bengal close to the Bangladesh border.
The Indian news agency ANI reported that Faisal Karim Masud and his alleged accomplice, motorbike driver Alamgir Hossain, were detained during an intelligence-based operation.
Authorities said the suspects were believed to be Bangladeshi nationals wanted in connection with serious crimes including murder and extortion.
Investigators said the pair had entered India illegally through the northeastern state of Meghalaya after the killing and later traveled through several locations before arriving in Bongaon, where they were reportedly waiting for an opportunity to cross back into Bangladesh.
Bangladeshi police had earlier claimed that the suspects had fled to India after the attack, a statement that Indian officials initially denied. The arrests now appear to confirm that the suspects had crossed the border following the incident.
Sharif Osman bin Hadi was shot on Dec. 12 in Dhaka, Bangladesh’s capital, a day after the country’s election schedule was announced. Security footage circulating at the time showed two men arriving on a motorcycle and firing at Hadi at close range near the Bijoynagar area in central Dhaka. He suffered critical injuries and later died on Dec. 19 while receiving medical treatment in Singapore.
Bangladeshi investigators said Faisal Karim Masud was riding as the passenger on the motorcycle used in the attack, while Alamgir Hossain was driving the vehicle.
The killing sparked widespread anger in Bangladesh, with protests erupting in several cities. Demonstrators accused the attackers of fleeing to India and demanded accountability. Tensions escalated outside diplomatic missions, including protests near the Indian High Commission in Dhaka and demonstrations near Bangladeshi diplomatic offices in India.
The development comes at a sensitive moment in relations between the two South Asian neighbors, which have faced strain since political upheaval in Bangladesh following mass protests in 2024.
Officials from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police said they learned about the arrests through media reports and are seeking formal confirmation from Indian authorities through diplomatic channels.
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