Two key suspects wanted for the assassination of a prominent Bangladeshi political activist have escaped to India and are currently believed to be in the northeastern state of Meghalaya, according to senior police officials in Dhaka. The development has triggered cross-border coordination efforts between Indian and Bangladeshi authorities.
Cross-Border Escape Route to Tura
Additional Police Commissioner (Crime and Operations) S N Md Nazrul Islam of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) stated that the suspects, identified as Faisal Karim Masud and Alamgir Sheikh, crossed into India via the Haluaghat border. Their escape was facilitated by local contacts on the Indian side.
"According to our information, the suspects entered India via the Haluaghat border. After crossing, they were initially received by an individual named Purti. Later, a taxi driver named Sami transported them to Tura city in Meghalaya," Nazrul Islam was quoted as saying during a press conference at the DMP Media Centre.
Indian Associates Detained, Conflicting Reports Emerge
Nazrul Islam further informed that police have received informal reports indicating that the two Indian nationals who assisted the fugitives—Purti and Sami—have been detained by Indian authorities. This claim, however, has been met with a contrasting statement from the Meghalaya police.
The Director General of Police (DGP) for Meghalaya told media outlets that there has been no official communication on this matter from Bangladesh and confirmed that the state police have not made any arrests in connection with the case so far. This discrepancy highlights the informal nature of the initial information channel.
Despite the conflicting reports, the DMP officer emphasized that the Bangladesh government is actively working to secure the return of the suspects. "We are maintaining communication with Indian authorities through both formal and informal channels to ensure their arrest and extradition," he said.
Murder of Sharif Osman Hadi and Investigation Status
The suspects are wanted for the murder of Sharif Osman Hadi, a 32-year-old leader of the Inquilab Moncho. Hadi was shot in the head on December 12 during an election campaign event in Dhaka. He was later airlifted to Singapore for advanced medical treatment but succumbed to his injuries on December 18.
The investigation into the high-profile killing is reportedly nearing completion. The state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) reported that the charge sheet is expected to be filed within the next seven to ten days. Police have described the murder as premeditated.
So far, 11 individuals have been arrested in Bangladesh in connection with the case. Among them, six have provided confessional statements before a court under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code. Investigators have recovered two pistols believed to be used in the crime and the motorcycle used by the assailants.
In a significant find, police also seized a cheque signed for a substantial amount of Tk 218 crore during the probe, indicating that a large sum of money was spent to execute the murder. Earlier, DMP Commissioner S M Sazzat Ali had termed the killing a "mysterious" incident, suggesting the involvement of multiple individuals.
The case continues to develop as authorities on both sides of the border work to apprehend the accused and bring them to justice.
