Two Gunmen Attack Dhaka-8 Candidate Sharif Osman Hadi

Sharif Osman Hadi, an independent candidate for Dhaka-8 and spokesperson for the Inqilab Mancha, was critically shot by two assailants on Friday after Jumu’ah prayers in the Bijoynagar area of Dhaka. Following the attack, Hadi was admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), where his condition has since been described as extremely critical, requiring immediate transfer to the intensive care unit (ICU).

According to Lutfor Rahman, a security officer at the DR Tower, Hadi was travelling by rickshaw along the Box Culvert area of Bijoynagar around midday after the Friday prayers when the assailants approached on a motorcycle from the direction of a nearby water tank and opened fire. They fled the scene immediately after the attack.

Imran Hossain Hriday, an on-duty Ansar member, told the media, “I heard a sound like a tyre burst and ran towards it. I saw one person lying in the rickshaw, apparently shot. Another individual was with him. He was then rushed to the hospital.”

Faruk, officer-in-charge of the hospital’s police outpost, confirmed that Hadi arrived at the hospital around 2:30 pm in a gunshot-injured state and received immediate medical attention. Hospital authorities reported that upon arrival at the emergency department, Hadi’s condition was extremely critical. A doctor on duty stated that Hadi suffered a cardiac arrest shortly after admission, but was temporarily stabilised following CPR, although his overall condition remains extremely serious.

Hadi is now in the ICU under close observation, with hospital staff making every effort to provide intensive care. Authorities emphasised that all relevant medical departments are fully engaged in his treatment.

Muhammad Talebur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner of the DMP Public Relations Department, confirmed that the attack took place at approximately 2:25 pm when the assailants on three motorcycles opened fire on Hadi and then fled the scene. Israfail Forayzi, a prominent organiser of the July Unity movement, stated that the attack occurred during Hadi’s election campaign activities.

Following the incident, Hadi’s supporters have gathered at the hospital in large numbers, while members of the public also congregate near the emergency department. Supporters reported that Hadi had previously received threats from 30 domestic and international phone numbers during November. Earlier on Friday at 11:52 am, Hadi posted on social media that his campaign posters in Dhaka-8 were minimal, reflecting the modest nature of his current election efforts.

Mirza Abbas, a permanent committee member of BNP and a fellow Dhaka-8 candidate, visited Hadi at Dhaka Medical College Hospital around 4:00 pm to check on his condition.