Intensified Search for Suspect in Sharif Osman Hadi Shooting
Discussions are currently dominating social media platforms concerning the identity of an alleged assailant involved in the attack on Sharif Osman Hadi, a spokesperson for Inquilab Mancha and a prospective independent candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency. This heightened scrutiny follows the release of a suspect’s photograph by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).
On Saturday, the DMP disseminated a photograph of an individual believed to be involved in the attack, appealing to the public for any information that could aid in their identification or apprehension. The incident has spurred a flurry of claims and speculations online regarding the attacker’s identity.
Digital Investigations Uncover Potential Links
An investigative report by The Dissent, utilizing open-source intelligence (OSINT) tools, has identified the suspected shooter as an activist associated with the banned Chhatra League, hailing from the Adabor area of the capital. This identification was reportedly achieved through a comprehensive comparative analysis of various visual materials.
These materials included:
* CCTV footage obtained by the police.
* Images of the person directly seen firing at Mr. Hadi.
* Photographs from Mr. Hadi’s election campaign activities.
* Footage capturing an individual present at the Inquilab Cultural Centre on December 9.
Medical Update on Sharif Osman Hadi
Sharif Osman Hadi remains in critical condition following the attack. He has sustained an injury to his brain stem and continues to require ventilator support.
Facial Recognition and Distinctive Clues
The Dissent’s report indicates a strong resemblance between the individual appearing in all three sets of footage and a person identified as Faisal Karim Masud, also known by the alias Daud Khan. Facial similarity assessments were conducted using CCTV footage from the Inquilab Cultural Centre on December 9, police-collected CCTV footage from the December 12 attack, photographs published by mainstream media outlets, and over 50 images shared on Facebook and Instagram accounts associated with Faisal Karim Masud. Further analysis included posts from pages and individuals affiliated with the Awami League.
The digital outlet further stated that verification processes using two distinct facial detection applications confirmed a match between images of Faisal Karim and the individual seen in the CCTV footage from the Inquilab Cultural Centre.
Past Affiliations and Noteworthy Details
The investigation also pointed to Faisal Karim’s past role as a former leader within the Chhatra League, having held a position in the organization’s Adabor unit.
A particularly striking detail highlighted is a distinctive wristwatch observed on the shooter’s left hand. This timepiece bears a striking resemblance to the design of watches worn by Faisal Karim Masud in numerous photographs available on his Facebook and Instagram profiles.
In November 2024, several prominent media outlets published reports featuring photographs of Faisal Karim, noting his arrest by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). He was identified as the primary suspect in an armed robbery case involving the theft of Tk 1.7 million from an office in Adabor, Mohammadpur. He was subsequently released on bail.
International Journalist’s Findings
In a separate development, Zulkarnain Saer, an investigative journalist for the Qatar-based news outlet Al Jazeera, posted on Facebook that one of the individuals involved in the shooting of Osman Hadi had been identified. He too named the individual as Faisal Karim Masud (alias Daud bin Faisal), characterizing him as a former vice-president of Chhatra League’s Dhaka North unit and a former president of Adabor Chhatra League.
Mr. Saer’s post further alleged that Faisal Karim was seated alongside Osman Hadi during a meeting on December 9, 2025. He is reportedly known as a close associate of prominent Awami League leaders, including Jahangir Kabir Nanak and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, the former Home Minister who is currently a fugitive in India.
Public Statements and Suspect’s Online Presence
Meanwhile, a Facebook account operating under the name “Faisal Karim Daud Khan” has been discovered. Older photographs on this account appear to indicate affiliations with the Chhatra League and the Awami League. The profile includes images with notable political figures such as former President Abdul Hamid, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Dr. Dipu Moni, and other leaders from the Awami League and Chhatra League.
Furthermore, the name Faisal Karim Daud Khan is listed as a member of the central committee of the Chhatra League, as announced on May 11, 2019. Posts congratulating him on this appointment were also found on another Facebook account.
During the 11th national parliamentary election in 2018, the Chhatra League established constituency-based election management and coordination committees. Faisal Karim was listed as a member of the coordination committee for the Dhaka-12 constituency, where Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal was the Awami League candidate.
Law Enforcement Actions and Reward
Law enforcement agencies are actively continuing their operations to definitively confirm the suspect’s identity. Officials have indicated that the individual was identified through analysis of CCTV footage. The DMP has reiterated its appeal for any individuals possessing relevant information to come forward.
The Home Affairs Adviser, Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, has announced a reward of Tk 5 million for information that leads to the arrest of the person responsible for shooting Osman Hadi.
Incident Details and Ongoing Investigation
Earlier on Friday, at approximately 2:15 pm, Osman Hadi was shot while traveling in a rickshaw in front of the water tank in Bijoynagar, Dhaka. Two individuals on a motorcycle approached Hadi’s rickshaw, and one of them fired at him at close range before they sped away.
Mr. Hadi was immediately transported to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital in critical condition. He was subsequently transferred to Evercare Hospital in the capital, where he is currently receiving advanced intensive care.
Further Developments: Village Home Looted
In a separate and concerning development, reports indicate that Sharif Osman Hadi’s village home in Jhalokathi was looted. This incident occurred subsequent to the attack on Mr. Hadi in Dhaka. The details surrounding this looting are still being investigated.
