DMP chief hopeful of arresting prime suspect in Hadi shooting soon

Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sazzat Ali expressed hope that the prime suspect in the attempted killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, convener of the Inquilab Mancha platform, will be brought to justice "soon."

Speaking to reporters after the annual general meeting of the Bangladesh Retired Police Officers Welfare Association at Rajarbagh Police Auditorium on Saturday, he urged the public to assist in tracking down those involved.

“We are searching for the prime suspect. It hasn’t even been 24 hours yet. Hopefully, we will make a breakthrough. We seek the public’s cooperation,” he said.

Police have released a photo of a suspected attacker, identified through CCTV footage, and are actively searching for him. The public is encouraged to provide information via the national emergency number 999, the deputy commissioner of Motijheel Division (01320040080), or the chief of Paltan Police Station (01320040132). Informants’ identities will remain confidential, and a reward will be offered for information leading to the suspect’s arrest.

Regarding concerns over the safety of prospective parliamentary candidates, Sazzat said security measures are being strengthened.

Hadi, an independent candidate for Dhaka-8, was shot on Friday around 2:15 pm near the Bijoynagar water tank, shortly after a campaign event at a Motijheel mosque. Riding a battery-powered rickshaw with colleagues toward Suhrawardy Udyan, he was attacked by a pillion rider on a motorcycle who fired at the moving vehicle, hitting Hadi in the head.

He was initially treated at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where emergency brain surgery was performed, and later transferred to Evercare Hospital. Doctors report that his condition remains critical in the ICU.