Intensifying Search for Suspect in Sharif Osman Hadi Shooting; Online Investigations Point to Former Student Leader
Discussions are rapidly escalating on social media platforms concerning the identity of an alleged assailant involved in the attack on Sharif Osman Hadi, the spokesperson for Inquilab Mancha and a prospective independent candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency. This surge in speculation 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 and apprehension. Since the incident, a variety of claims regarding the attacker’s identity have circulated widely online.
Digital Investigations Uncover Potential Suspect
A report by the digital investigative outlet, 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. The outlet’s assertion is based on a meticulous comparative analysis of multiple visual sources. These include:
- CCTV footage obtained by the police.
- Images capturing the moment Hadi was shot.
- Photographs from Hadi’s election campaign materials.
- Footage of an individual present at the Inquilab Cultural Centre on December 9.
The Dissent reported that the individual appearing in these disparate visual records bears a strong resemblance to a person named Faisal Karim Masud, also known by the alias Daud Khan. The investigation identified significant facial similarities after analyzing CCTV footage from the Inquilab Cultural Center (dated December 9), police-collected CCTV footage from the December 12 attack, photographs published by mainstream media outlets, and over 50 images posted on Facebook and Instagram accounts attributed to Faisal Karim Masud. Furthermore, posts from pages and individuals aligned with the Awami League were also examined.
The outlet’s findings were further corroborated by verification using two distinct facial detection applications. These applications reportedly indicated a match between images of Faisal Karim and the individual observed in the CCTV footage from the Inquilab Cultural Center.
The investigation also established Karim’s prior involvement as an ex-leader of the Chhatra League, having held a position within the organization’s Adabor unit. A particularly noteworthy detail identified by The Dissent was a distinctive wristwatch observed on the shooter’s left hand. This timepiece closely matched the design of a wristwatch worn by Faisal Karim Masud in numerous photographs found on his Facebook and Instagram profiles.
In November 2024, several mainstream media reports surfaced featuring photographs of Faisal Karim. These reports indicated his arrest by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) as the primary suspect in an armed robbery case. The incident involved the alleged looting of Tk 1.7 million from an office in Adabor, Mohammadpur. However, he was subsequently released on bail.
Prominent Journalist Echoes Findings
In parallel, Zulkarnain Saer, an investigative journalist based in Qatar for the news outlet Al Jazeera, shared his findings in a Facebook post. He stated that one of the individuals involved in the shooting of Osman Hadi had been identified. Saer also named the individual as Faisal Karim Masud (alias Daud bin Faisal), identifying him as a former vice-president of Chhatra League’s Dhaka North unit and a former president of Adabor Chhatra League.
Saer’s post further alleged that Faisal Karim was present at a meeting on December 9, 2025, seated next to Osman Hadi. He is described as a close associate of prominent Awami League leaders, including Jahangir Kabir Nanak and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, the former home minister who is reportedly a fugitive in India.
Digital Footprint Connects Suspect to Political Circles
A Facebook account operating under the name “Faisal Karim Daud Khan” has been discovered. Older photographs on this account appear to confirm his affiliations with both the Chhatra League and the Awami League. The profile includes images alongside 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.
Further examination revealed that Faisal Karim Daud Khan’s name was listed as a member of the full central committee of the Chhatra League when it was announced on May 11, 2019. Congratulatory posts for his appointment to this position 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 the Awami League candidate was Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal.
Law Enforcement Continues Investigation and Offers Reward
Law enforcement agencies are actively pursuing operations to definitively confirm the suspect’s identity. Officials have indicated that the individual was identified through the 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.
Attack Details and Victim’s Condition
The attack occurred on Friday, around 2:15 pm, in front of the water tank in Bijoynagar, Dhaka. Osman Hadi was traveling in a rickshaw when two individuals on a motorcycle approached. One of the assailants fired at Hadi at close range before they sped away.
Hadi was immediately transported to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital in critical condition. He was later transferred to Evercare Hospital in the capital, where he is currently receiving intensive care support.
Village Home Also Targeted
Adding to the distressing events, it has been reported that Osman Hadi’s village home in Jhalokathi was looted earlier on Friday. The timing and connection, if any, between this incident and the shooting are under investigation.
