Despite the announcement of the schedule for the 13th parliamentary election, concerns over the country’s law and order situation continue to mount.
While police, border guards, and the army are deployed nationwide, public confidence has yet to be restored. Armed criminals remain active from cities to rural areas, with incidents of murder, robbery, extortion, and violence occurring frequently.
Although the government has repeatedly issued warnings against criminal activity, critics say enforcement remains routine and ineffective. Police patrols and operations continue, but offenders appear largely undeterred.
The situation has drawn renewed scrutiny following the shooting of Osman Hadi, spokesperson for the Inqilab Mancha and a prospective candidate for Dhaka-8 constituency, on Friday. The attack has intensified fears about candidate safety as the election approaches.
Hadi’s shooting is not an isolated incident. On 5 November, BNP-nominated candidate for Chattogram-8 (Boalkhali–Chandgaon–Bayezid) and city unit convener Ershad Ullah was shot while conducting public outreach. One person was killed in that attack, and two others were injured.
Later, on 27 November, violence erupted during a Jamaat-e-Islami campaign event in Pabna-4 (Ishwardi–Atgharia), where party district ameer and candidate Abu Taleb Mondol came under attack. The incident involved gunfire and clashes, further underscoring the fragile security environment.
In response, the home affairs adviser announced that police would take special measures to ensure the safety of candidates. He also stated that candidates requesting firearms licences would be granted them—a significant departure from previous practice, where such licences were largely limited to military and civil officials.
Hadi’s condition and investigation
Osman Hadi is currently undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. His condition remains critical, and he is described as being on the brink between life and death. Investigators say two suspects involved in the shooting have been identified, and operations to arrest them have been intensified.
All units of law enforcement agencies—including police, RAB, and intelligence services—have been deployed. Investigators have reviewed CCTV footage and identified two individuals suspected of involvement. The government has announced a reward of Tk50 lakh for information leading to the arrest of those responsible. Border surveillance has also been tightened.
Although no case had been filed by Saturday evening following the shooting at Bijoynagar’s Culvert Road on Friday afternoon, law enforcement agencies say they are actively working to unravel the incident.
How a suspect became Hadi’s close associate
Investigators are focusing on Faisal Karim Masud, also known as Rahul, who is believed to have gained close access to Hadi during election campaigning.
According to Fatema Tasnim Jhuma, an Inqilab Mancha leader, Faisal first joined an open campaign event on 5 December, like many others. He then began attending campaign activities regularly.
Inqilab Mancha central member Fahim Abdullah said Faisal became acquainted with Hadi during open campaign events and later carried out the shooting, allegedly targeting Friday specifically.
Media Wing Secretary Naim Ibn Zahir said Faisal approached the group during a 5 December campaign and expressed interest in staying with them. “Hadi welcomed him,” he said. “He then began attending Inqilab Mancha programmes regularly.”
Zahir added that suspicion about Faisal arose early, but before verification could be completed, the incident occurred.
Police and intelligence officials now consider Faisal the prime suspect, having been seen closely accompanying Hadi at the Inqilab Cultural Centre on 9 December.
A violent past
Faisal Karim Masud’s criminal history has added another layer of concern. On 28 October last year, armed assailants looted Tk17 lakh from an office on the fourth floor of the British Columbia School building in Adabar’s Baitul Aman Housing Society. A case was filed at Adabar police station, naming Faisal Karim Masud alias Daud Khan as the prime accused.
RAB arrested him on 7 November from the Adabar area, recovering two foreign pistols, two magazines, five rounds of ammunition, three mobile phones, and Tk5,000 in cash. On 16 February, the High Court granted him bail. BNP Legal Affairs Secretary Barrister Kaiser Kamal represented him in court.
Police are now investigating how Faisal secured bail so quickly in extortion and arms cases, and whether any influential networks were involved.
Political links under scrutiny
On social media, Faisal has been described as a former vice-president of Dhaka Metropolitan North Chhatra League and former president of Adabar Chhatra League. Claims have also circulated linking him to senior Awami League figures Jahangir Kabir Nanak and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal. However, his official position within Chhatra League committees could not be independently verified.
Investigators say they are examining who may have been behind the attack and whether Hadi was deliberately targeted as part of a broader attempt to destabilise the electoral process.
‘Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2’
Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury announced the launch of Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2 following a meeting of the ministry’s law and order core committee.
He confirmed the Tk50 lakh reward for information leading to the arrest of the attackers and said security forces were continuing operations to recover looted and illegal firearms, particularly those taken during unrest in July.
The adviser said the operation aims to intensify crackdowns on what he described as “fascist terrorists” and restore order ahead of the election. He added that immediate instructions had been issued to arrest those involved in the Hadi shooting, stressing that no one would be spared.
The core committee also discussed election security preparations, special protection for frontline activists of the July movement—including Osman Hadi—and recovery of illegal weapons.
Describing the attack on Hadi as an attempt to derail the election, the adviser said the interim government would take firm action against any effort to sabotage the polls. A special committee has been formed to ensure the safety of July movement leaders.
Addressing questions about BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman’s planned return to Bangladesh on 25 December, Adviser Chowdhury said there were no security concerns and that all necessary measures would be taken.
Candidate security and assurances
Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner SM Sazzat Ali said security arrangements were being put in place for all candidates contesting the 13th parliamentary election.
He confirmed that one individual had been identified in connection with the Dhaka-8 shooting and expressed confidence that the suspect would be arrested soon. DMP has appealed to the public for information, releasing images from CCTV footage and urging anyone with relevant details to come forward.
Critical condition, guarded prognosis
Doctors at Evercare Hospital say Osman Hadi’s condition remains extremely critical. He is being treated in the critical care unit, with severe brain damage and lung injuries confirmed. His kidney function, however, has shown signs of recovery.
A 12-member medical board comprising specialists from multiple disciplines has been formed to oversee his treatment. In a statement issued on Saturday, the board said surgical intervention had been completed and Hadi is currently under conservative management. Brain protection protocols are being followed, and all necessary life-support measures remain in place. Further CT scans will be conducted if his condition stabilises.
