Post by : Rameen Ariff

Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent leader of Bangladesh’s 2024 uprising, has died in Singapore after suffering critical injuries in a shooting attack in Dhaka. He was 32 years old. Officials confirmed the Sharif Osman Hadi death on Friday, December 19, 2025.

Hadi was shot by masked attackers on December 12 while leaving a mosque in the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka. The attack took place in full public view and caused panic in the area. He was hit near the ear, and the bullet injury proved to be life-threatening.

After the shooting, Hadi was rushed to a local hospital in Dhaka. Due to the seriousness of his condition, he was airlifted to Singapore on Monday for advanced medical treatment. Despite the best efforts of doctors, he could not survive.

Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the Sharif Osman Hadi death in an official statement, saying medical teams did everything possible to save him. The ministry also said it is working with Bangladeshi authorities to repatriate his body back home.

Interim Government Confirms Death

Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, also confirmed Hadi’s death. Yunus expressed deep sorrow and called the incident a major loss for the country.

In a televised address, Yunus said that violence and fear cannot stop Bangladesh’s path toward democracy. He described the attack as an attempt to disrupt the democratic process ahead of the upcoming elections.

The government announced a half-day of national mourning on Saturday. Special prayers will also be held at mosques across the country after Friday prayers in memory of Hadi.

Political Background and Election Context

Sharif Osman Hadi was a senior leader of Inqilab Mancha, a student-led protest group that played a key role in the 2024 uprising. The movement led to the fall of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s long-standing rule.

Hadi was also a candidate in the February 2026 parliamentary elections, which will be the first national polls since the uprising. He was known for his strong political views and was openly critical of India.

Bangladesh is preparing for a high-stakes election on February 12, where citizens will directly elect 300 members of parliament. An additional 50 seats will be filled through a women’s quota list. A national referendum on major democratic reforms will be held on the same day.

Police Launch Manhunt

Following the attack, Bangladeshi police launched a nationwide manhunt to arrest those responsible. Authorities released photos of two main suspects and announced a reward of five million taka, around 42,000 US dollars, for information leading to their capture.

Muhammad Yunus earlier stated that the shooting was a planned attack carried out by a powerful group. He said the goal was to derail the elections and create fear across the country.

Rising Tensions in Bangladesh

Political tensions remain high in Bangladesh as parties prepare for the elections. The country continues to face instability.

Former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who was convicted in absentia last month and sentenced to death, is currently in hiding in India. Dhaka has repeatedly requested her extradition, but she has refused to return for trial.

The last general elections in January 2024 were heavily criticised by opposition parties, who called them unfair. Hasina’s Awami League won 222 seats, securing her fourth consecutive term at that time.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party, led by former prime minister Khaleda Zia, is expected to perform strongly in the upcoming vote. Zia is currently in intensive care in Dhaka, while her son and political successor, Tarique Rahman, is set to return from exile in the UK on December 25 after 17 years.

A Nation in Mourning

The Sharif Osman Hadi death has sent shockwaves across Bangladesh. Many see him as a symbol of youth-led political change. His killing has raised serious concerns about safety, democracy, and the future of the country’s elections.

As Bangladesh moves closer to polling day, the loss of Sharif Osman Hadi remains a painful reminder of the risks faced by political leaders in times of transition.

#world news #Global News