Dhaka is witnessing renewed violence after Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent leader of Bangladesh’s student uprising last year, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in the country’s capital last week and later succumbed to his injuries in Singapore.
“Despite the best efforts of doctors at SGH and the National Neuroscience Institute, Mr. Hadi succumbed to his injuries on 18 December 2025,” said a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Singapore.
Who was Sharif Osman Hadi?
Sharif Osman Hadi emerged as a key figure in the student uprising in Bangladesh last year – which ultimately led to the ouster of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He was a leader of the student protest group Inqilab Moncho. According to many reports, Hadi was widely described as an outspoken critic of India and was a “frontline” fighter in the July uprising.
Born in 1994 in Nalchit Upazila of Jhalokhati District, Hadi hailed from a Muslim family and was known for his radical views and strong anti-India stance.
How was Sharif Osman Hadi shot?
Hadi’s campaign for the upcoming Bangladeshi elections was in full swing when he was shot in the head by unidentified gunmen on 12 December. The attack took place on Culvert Road in Dhaka’s Paltan area near a mosque while he was traveling in a battery-powered autorickshaw.
Hadi was injured in the ear and was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and later transferred to Evercare Hospital. From Evercare Hospital, the Yunus-led administration airlifted Inquilab leader Moncho to Singapore for treatment on Saturday after Bangladeshi doctors said his condition was extremely critical.
On Thursday, December 18, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Singapore announced that Hadi had succumbed to his injuries from an assassination attempt.
Who are the suspects?
Earlier, the parents of the main suspect in Hadi’s assassination attempt – Faisal Karim Masud – were sent to jail after recording their statements in a case filed over the attack.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Monirul Islam recorded the statements of Humayun Kabir, 70, and his wife Hasi Begum, 60, after police produced them in court, a court official said. After the recording, a judge ordered them to be sent to jail, Bangladeshi media website The Daily Star reported.
Dhaka (Bangladesh), Dec 19 (ANI): Former Bangladesh President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s residence is being vandalized as riots broke out following the death of Osman Hadi, a key leader of anti-Sheikh Hasina protests in Dhaka on Friday. (NOT Video Grab)(NOT Video Grab)
As unrest gripped Bangladesh following Hadi’s death, Inqilab Moncho urged the public to avoid the violence, vandalism and arson that broke out across the country. During the riots, the offices of two media houses – The Daily Star and Prothom Alo – were torched.
Inquilab Moncho said on Facebook on Thursday evening: “Through destruction and fire, certain groups aim to make Bangladesh an ineffective state. They are trying to undermine the independence and sovereignty of our country. You must understand – 32 and 36 are not the same.”
The post continued: “As February’s elections approach, consider who will really benefit if there is unrest in the country. To maintain stability in Bangladesh, cooperate fully with the government and refrain from violence.”
