Two Bangladeshi Suspects Arrested in West Bengal for Killing Youth Leader Sharif Osman Bin Hadi
Authorities in India have detained two Bangladeshi citizens allegedly involved in the killing of Bangladeshi political activist Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, officials said on Sunday.
The arrests were made by the Special Task Force (STF) of West Bengal in the border town of Bongaon.
Hadi, who had gained prominence as a youth leader during the massive political upheaval in Bangladesh in 2024, was shot dead in the capital city of Dhaka on December 12 last year.
The 32-year-old activist had become widely known for his role in the student-led protest movement that eventually forced the then-prime minister Sheikh Hasina from power.
He was among the founders and also served as spokesperson for Inqilab Moncho, a political platform formed in the aftermath of the July 2024 uprising in Bangladesh.
His assassination had triggered widespread outrage and unrest across the country, sparking fresh demonstrations and violent clashes in several areas.
Arrest in West Bengal Border Town
According to the West Bengal STF, the two suspects—identified as Rahul alias Faisal Karim Masud (37) and Alamgir Hossain (34)—were captured in the Bongaon region of North 24 Parganas district late Friday night.
Police officials said Rahul is originally from Patuakhali district in Bangladesh, while Alamgir is a resident of Dhaka.
The STF revealed that intelligence inputs suggested that two Bangladeshi nationals suspected of serious crimes, including extortion and murder, had fled Bangladesh and illegally crossed into India.
In a statement issued by the agency, officials said the suspects were believed to be hiding in the Bongaon border belt while waiting for an opportunity to slip back into Bangladesh.
STF Operation Leads to Capture
Acting on the intelligence tip-off, STF personnel launched a targeted operation in the area. During the raid, the two suspects were intercepted and taken into custody.
Officials said that during preliminary questioning, the accused admitted their involvement in the killing of Hadi.
Investigators stated that Rahul, along with Alamgir, allegedly assassinated an escaping Bangladeshi.
Illegal Entry Through Meghalaya
Police further disclosed that the suspects had illegally crossed into India through the border region of Meghalaya.
After entering the country, they reportedly travelled through several locations across India in an attempt to evade capture before eventually reaching Bongaon, from where they were planning to sneak back across the border.
A criminal case has now been registered against both individuals. They were produced before a local court on Sunday and subsequently remanded to police custody for further interrogation.
Details of the Murder
Sharif Osman Bin Hadi was killed in the Purana Paltan neighbourhood of Dhaka on December 12, 2025.
According to investigators, the activist had just exited a mosque and was travelling in an auto-rickshaw when the attack occurred. Two men riding a motorcycle reportedly approached the vehicle.
Police said the passenger seated on the rear of the motorcycle fired a shot at close range, striking Hadi in the head and killing him instantly.
Bangladesh police later identified the gunman as Faisal Karim Masud, also known as Daud, while the motorcycle rider was said to be Alamgir Hossain.
Alleged Political Links of Accused
Investigators in Bangladesh had claimed that both suspects were affiliated with the Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student wing of the ruling party led by Sheikh Hasina, the Awami League.
Following the murder, Bangladeshi authorities launched an investigation that concluded the suspects had fled the country via the Haluaghat border crossing into the Indian state of Meghalaya.
On January 6, 2026, police in Bangladesh filed a formal chargesheet against 17 individuals allegedly connected with the conspiracy behind the killing. Officials stated that the motive appeared to be political retaliation.
Unrest Following the Assassination
The killing of Hadi triggered widespread anger across Bangladesh and led to violent protests in several cities.
During the unrest, demonstrators targeted several media organisations that they believed were sympathetic to India.
Offices of prominent newspapers such as The Daily Star and Prothom Alo were vandalised and set on fire by mobs during the disturbances.
Authorities continue to investigate the wider conspiracy behind the assassination, while the two suspects detained in India are expected to be further interrogated as part of the ongoing probe.
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