Bangladesh has witnessed its first political assassination following the announcement of national elections. Osman Hadi, a potential candidate from Dhaka’s Constituency 8 and a prominent critic of Sheikh Hasina, was gunned down while campaigning in the capital. His killing has triggered unrest across Dhaka, prompting the government to urge his supporters to maintain calm.

According to Bangladeshi outlet Pratham Alo, Hadi was addressing supporters from the Iqbal Manch in central Dhaka around 2 p.m. when two assailants on a motorcycle opened fire. He suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the head, as confirmed by doctors at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Who Was Osman Hadi?
Osman Hadi served as the spokesperson for Iqbal Manch and played a leading role during the July 2024 protest movement against Sheikh Hasina’s government. Known for his strong oratory skills and youth outreach, Hadi had been active on the ground since the uprising and was preparing to contest the Dhaka-8 parliamentary seat.

A graduate of Dhaka University, Hadi was originally from Jhalokathi district and was the eldest of three siblings. His father is an imam. With nearly 900,000 followers on Facebook, Hadi had built a strong digital presence and had gained prominence for campaigning to establish a memorial for the July uprising. Under his leadership, some groups even targeted memorials of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, intensifying political tensions.

Police Statement and Ongoing Investigation
Dhaka Police spokesperson Muhammad Talebur Rahman stated that Hadi was shot from behind while on the campaign trail and was immediately rushed to the hospital. Authorities are reviewing CCTV footage to identify the attackers.

Interim government chief advisor Mohammad Yunus has ordered a thorough investigation, assuring the public that the election will be conducted peacefully. He warned that anyone involved in disrupting law and order will face strict action.