Bangladesh urges India to block escape routes to prevent Hadi attackers from crossing

The interim government has sought India’s cooperation in arresting those who shot Sharif Osman bin Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Moncho, and in preventing the suspects from fleeing Bangladesh.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Sunday that Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma was summoned to Dhaka and formally requested to assist in the matter.

In a media statement, the ministry said India had been asked to help stop the suspects from escaping to Indian territory. It added that if the suspects had already crossed into India, they should be swiftly arrested and extradited to Bangladesh.

The ministry also raised concerns over alleged calls made by ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina from India to carry out terrorist activities in Bangladesh.

It said the Indian high commissioner was summoned to convey Bangladesh’s grave concern over what it described as Hasina’s continued “incendiary statements”, in which she allegedly urged supporters to engage in terrorist acts aimed at obstructing the national elections.

Bangladesh reiterated its demand for the immediate extradition of Hasina and her home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to the country’s legal authorities, the statement said.

It also noted that the foreign ministry had drawn the high commissioner’s attention to what it described as anti-Bangladesh activities being carried out from India by fugitive members of the Awami League.

These activities allegedly included planning, organising and assisting terrorist acts inside Bangladesh to disrupt the forthcoming election.

Calling on the Indian government to take urgent steps to halt the criminal activities of what it termed “fascist terrorists”, the ministry urged New Delhi to extradite those involved to Bangladesh as soon as possible.

It said Bangladesh expected India, as a neighbouring country, to stand with the Bangladeshi people in upholding justice and safeguarding democratic processes.

Hadi was shot on Friday afternoon near the Bijoynagar Water Tank in Dhaka.

He was travelling in a moving autorickshaw when an assailant riding pillion on a moving motorcycle opened fire, with the bullet striking him in the head.

Critically injured, Hadi was first taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and later transferred to Evercare Hospital after undergoing surgery. A medical board treating him said his condition remains “critical”.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police said two suspects—Faisal Karim Masud and Alamgir Sheikh—have been identified in connection with the attack.