DHAKA – Bangladesh was shaken on Friday by an assassination attempt on Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent leader of the July Revolution and one of the country’s most vocal critics of India’s influence in the region.
Hadi was shot in the head by unidentified assailants in the Paltan area of Dhaka and rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) for emergency surgery. Surgeons confirmed that the bullet entered from the right side of his head and exited near the left, leaving no bullet lodged inside.
Prof. Abu Jafor, Director General of Health Services (DGHS), explained that Hadi’s condition was extremely severe upon admission, with his Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score at its lowest point.
Neurosurgeons led by Dr Zahid Raihan performed a complex procedure to relieve pressure on his brain by removing part of the skull. ENT specialists also controlled bleeding through his nose and throat.
Following his family’s request, Hadi was later transferred to Evercare Hospital, where he remains under intensive care and on mechanical ventilation.
Brigadier General Md Asaduzzaman, Director of DMCH, confirmed that no bullet fragments were found during surgery, bringing some relief amid the tense situation.
The attack has prompted a massive response from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP). Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali announced that an intensive operation is underway to apprehend the gunmen.
“No matter where they are hiding, we will find them and bring them under the law,” he said. Investigators are reviewing CCTV footage, collecting evidence, and interrogating witnesses to ensure swift justice.
The incident has drawn strong condemnation from national leaders. Chief Adviser Prof. Dr Muhammad Yunus, along with advisers of the interim government and senior political figures, described the shooting as a direct assault on Bangladesh’s sovereignty.
They vowed to deliver the highest punishment to those responsible and called for unity against attempts to destabilise the country.
Hadi, known for his uncompromising stance against India and his role in ousting former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is currently in India, remains in critical condition.
His survival is seen as vital to the stability of the interim government and the continuation of reforms following the July Revolution.
The attack has heightened tensions in Dhaka, with security forces on alert and the public anxiously awaiting updates on Hadi’s recovery.
