Zakir Hossain from Dhaka
Sharif Osman Hadi, an independent MP candidate for Dhaka-8 constituency and spokesperson of the July movement-inspired Inqilab Moncho, was shot in the head by motorcycle-borne assailants in Dhaka’s Paltan area on Friday (Dec 12) afternoon. Police said he is in a critical condition and placed on life support at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).
The attack occurred around 2:25pm in front of DR Tower on Box Culvert Road. Witnesses said two helmeted men on a motorcycle opened fire at Hadi while he was travelling on a battery-run rickshaw. Law-enforcement agencies later cordoned off the area and collected CCTV footage, which shows the pillion rider firing at him.
Inspector Md Faruk of DMCH police outpost confirmed that Hadi was taken to the operation theatre around 3:50pm. DMCH Director Brigadier General Md Asaduzzaman said, “The bullet is still inside his head. His condition is critical and he has been placed on life support.” Security guard Sakib Hossen, who rushed out after hearing gunshots, said, “I saw a rickshaw carrying him away. Blood was dripping onto the street.”
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Deputy commissioners Harun-ur-Rashid (Motijheel division) and Muḥammad Talebur Rahman (DMP Media) said police are reviewing CCTV footage and believe three attackers on motorcycles were involved. Investigators from the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI), CID, DB and other units are examining the crime scene. A witness, Rahim Patoyari, livestreamed the immediate aftermath on Facebook, showing Hadi unconscious on the rickshaw.
Interim government Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus condemned the attack, calling it “completely unacceptable and extremely unfortunate for the country’s peaceful political environment.” He directed authorities to ensure top-level treatment and ordered law-enforcement agencies to conduct a swift, extensive investigation to determine whether the attack was part of an organised plan.
“The government will not tolerate any form of violence aimed at disrupting the election,” Yunus said, urging all political actors to maintain peace.
Hadi, a key speaker of the anti-Hasina movement, had announced his candidacy on September 14. Inqilab Moncho was formed after the 2024 July–August mass uprising that forced the Awami League from power.