A series of violent attacks on parliamentary candidates has sparked widespread fear among contenders for Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th national election. Independent candidate and Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi was critically injured after being shot in Dhaka-8, following a similar attack earlier this month on BNP candidate Md Ershad Ullah in Chattogram-8. These incidents have heightened anxiety among candidates and voters, prompting urgent calls for stronger government action to ensure a peaceful electoral environment.

Political leaders from opposition parties, including BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the Amar Bangladesh Party, condemned the attacks as attempts to derail the election. Experts from Dhaka University warned that such violence could undermine public confidence and deter participation. Law enforcement agencies, including the Special Branch, have begun assessing security risks and planning constituency-specific safety measures. Analysts emphasize that without swift intervention, further violence could jeopardize the credibility and fairness of the election process.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus spoke by phone with Omar bin Hadi, brother of independent candidate and Inquilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi, who was critically injured in a shooting attack in Dhaka. During the Friday night call, Yunus expressed deep concern over the incident and assured that the government would provide full support for Hadi’s treatment.

Yunus said he had held an emergency meeting with advisers and security officials, instructing law enforcement to swiftly apprehend those responsible. He confirmed that the government would cover all medical expenses, including treatment abroad if necessary. Hadi was shot while preparing for campaign activities in the Bijoynagar area after Friday prayers and was later placed on life support at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Doctors reported that Hadi sustained severe head injuries and remained in critical condition. The attack has drawn widespread condemnation and renewed calls for stronger security measures for political candidates during the election period.

BNP-nominated candidate for Dhaka-6, Engineer Ishraq Hossain, has strongly condemned the recent attack on independent Dhaka-8 candidate Sharif Osman Hadi. In a Facebook post on Friday, Ishraq described the incident as a cowardly and heinous assassination attempt, urging authorities to immediately arrest those responsible and ensure exemplary punishment.

Hossain emphasized that the government cannot evade responsibility for the attack and called on all intelligence agencies to identify the perpetrators without delay. He also suggested that, if necessary, the attackers should be handed over to the public. In his post, Ishraq expressed prayers for Hadi’s quick recovery and wished him good health.

The incident has drawn attention amid heightened political tensions ahead of the national elections. Observers note that such attacks raise concerns about candidate safety and the overall election environment, prompting calls for stronger law enforcement measures.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is set to return to Bangladesh on December 25, according to the party’s Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. The announcement came after an emergency meeting of the BNP Standing Committee held at the party chairperson’s office in Gulshan on Friday night, which Rahman joined virtually from London.

Mirza Fakhrul told reporters that the party welcomes Rahman’s return with joy, describing it as a significant moment for BNP supporters. He also mentioned that Rahman had recently met with the party’s chief adviser in London, where discussions regarding the timing of his return took place. Senior BNP leaders, including Mirza Abbas, attended the meeting.

Rahman’s return is expected to energize BNP’s political base ahead of upcoming national developments. However, it also raises questions about his legal and political status, given his long absence from the country and previous convictions. The party is preparing for large-scale receptions and organizational mobilization upon his arrival.

Former interim government adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan took part in a victory rally in Dhaka on Friday, where participants protested the shooting of independent candidate and Inquilab Manch convener Sharif Osman Hadi. The rally, organized by local supporters in the Dhaka-8 constituency, marched through Dhanmondi, Kalabagan, and Science Lab areas, with slogans demanding accountability from the administration.

Standing on a rickshaw, Asif Mahmud led chants calling for justice and transparency over the incident. Earlier the same day, he announced via a verified Facebook video that he would contest the upcoming national election as an independent candidate from Dhaka-10. His participation in the rally came just two days after resigning from his advisory roles in the interim government, where he oversaw local government, rural development, cooperatives, and youth and sports affairs.

The incident has drawn attention to rising political tensions ahead of the election, with calls for impartial investigation and assurance of candidate safety in the campaign period.

Students of Jahangirnagar University staged a protest and locked the university’s administrative building indefinitely following a shooting attack on Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Moncho and an independent aspirant for Dhaka-8 constituency. The demonstration began Friday afternoon at the campus’s Bottola area and concluded near the vice-chancellor’s residence after a rally condemning the attack and demanding immediate arrest of the perpetrators.

Student leaders, including JAKSU General Secretary Mazharul Islam, blamed a culture of impunity and administrative negligence for the violence. They also renewed calls for justice against teachers and officials allegedly involved in the July campus attacks, accusing the administration of delaying disciplinary proceedings despite earlier promises. University authorities have yet to announce a timeline for completing the investigations.

The indefinite closure of the administrative building signals growing frustration among students over perceived administrative inaction. Observers warn that prolonged unrest could disrupt academic activities if the administration fails to address the demands promptly.

Independent candidate and Inquilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi was shot in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area on Friday afternoon while campaigning for the upcoming 13th national election. Witnesses said two men arrived on a motorcycle, and one of them opened fire on Hadi before fleeing the scene. He was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital with a gunshot wound to the head, where doctors performed emergency surgery and later transferred him to the intensive care unit.

According to Inquilab Moncho member Mohammad Osama, the two assailants had joined Hadi’s campaign team about two weeks ago but were absent for several days before reappearing shortly before the attack. Law enforcement agencies, including police and RAB, are reviewing CCTV footage and other evidence to identify the shooters. Hospital officials have yet to issue a formal statement on Hadi’s condition.

Family members said Hadi might be moved to Evercare Hospital if his condition requires advanced treatment. The motive behind the attack remains unclear, and authorities have not confirmed any arrests.

Independent candidate and Inquilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi was critically injured after being shot by unidentified assailants in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area on Friday, December 12. Police confirmed that Hadi, contesting from Dhaka-8 constituency, was preparing for campaign activities when the attack occurred. He is currently on life support and undergoing surgery at a local hospital.

Following the incident, cultural affairs adviser and filmmaker Mostofa Sarwar Farooki condemned the attack in a verified Facebook post. He alleged that Hadi had previously received death threats from foreign numbers and demanded that those responsible be held accountable, regardless of affiliation. Farooki also expressed solidarity with Hadi’s supporters and wished for his recovery, saying the nation was praying for him.

Authorities have launched an investigation to identify the perpetrators, while the Dhaka Metropolitan Police deployed additional forces in the area. The incident has heightened concerns over election-related violence and candidate safety ahead of upcoming polls.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has strongly condemned the shooting of Sharif Osman Hadi, an independent candidate for Dhaka-8 and spokesperson of Inquilab Manch. Visiting Hadi at Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Friday, Rahman warned that any attempt to re-establish fascism or terror in the country would face a strong response from the people.

He urged the government to immediately identify and punish those responsible for the attack, stressing that any negligence would be unacceptable. Rahman described the incident as cowardly and said the nation would not tolerate such acts of violence. He also emphasized that Bangladesh belongs to all its citizens, not to any particular group or lineage.

Hadi remains in critical condition, according to doctors. Rahman expressed prayers for his recovery and hoped he would soon return to political activities. The attack has drawn widespread condemnation and renewed calls for ensuring security for election candidates amid rising political tensions.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman has strongly condemned the shooting of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Osman Hadi, who was critically injured in Dhaka’s Paltan area. Speaking virtually as the chief guest at a workshop at the Krishibid Institution on Friday, Rahman called on party members and the public to assist the government in identifying and apprehending those responsible for the attack.

Rahman emphasized the need for a fair and transparent investigation, urging law enforcement agencies to act swiftly. He appealed to leaders and activists of the BNP and its student wing to cooperate with authorities to ensure justice. During his address, Rahman also highlighted the importance of planned and coordinated politics for national development, expressing concern over the country’s current political instability.

The attack on Osman Hadi, who was later taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital in critical condition, has drawn widespread condemnation. The incident underscores rising political tensions and the need for restraint and dialogue among political stakeholders.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman has strongly condemned the armed attack on Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Moncho, who was critically injured in a shooting incident at Dhaka’s Paltan area. Speaking at a BNP-organized workshop titled “Plan to Build the Nation” at the Krishibid Institute auditorium in Farmgate on Friday, Rahman expressed deep outrage over the assault and demanded that the perpetrators be swiftly identified and brought to justice.

Rahman called on leaders and activists of the BNP’s affiliated bodies, including the student wing Chhatra Dal, to assist the government and law enforcement agencies in ensuring a fair and transparent investigation. He emphasized that cooperation was essential to apprehend those responsible and prevent further violence. The multi-day workshop, which began on Sunday, has drawn participation from BNP leaders across various organizational levels.

The incident has raised renewed concerns about political violence in Dhaka, with opposition figures urging authorities to ensure accountability and safety for political activists.

BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas visited Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Friday afternoon to see Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Mancha and his electoral rival in the Dhaka-8 constituency, who was shot earlier in the day. Abbas entered the hospital’s emergency gate around 4 p.m., hours after the attack in the capital’s Bijoynagar Kalvert area.

According to police, unidentified gunmen opened fire on Hadi around midday, injuring him below his left ear. He was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital at approximately 2:35 p.m. in critical condition. Hospital sources confirmed that doctors consider his condition serious. The incident has heightened political tensions in the constituency ahead of the upcoming election.

Authorities have yet to identify the attackers or determine the motive. Security has been tightened in the area, and police say an investigation is underway. Political observers warn that such violence could further strain the already tense pre-election environment in Dhaka.

Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of the Inquilab Moncho and an independent candidate for Dhaka-8 in Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th national election, was shot on Friday afternoon near the DR Tower area in Paltan. He was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital with bullet injuries. National Citizen Party (NCP) leader Hasnat Abdullah broke down in tears upon visiting him, while rival candidate Mirza Abbas of the BNP also visited the hospital later in the day.

The incident has triggered widespread concern across political circles. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir condemned the attack, calling for unity against political violence. Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman also expressed deep concern and demanded a transparent investigation. Police confirmed that three assailants on motorcycles carried out the attack before fleeing.

The shooting comes amid rising political tensions ahead of the election. Hadi had previously reported receiving multiple death threats from foreign numbers. Authorities have pledged to investigate the attack, but no arrests have been made as of Friday evening.

Independent parliamentary candidate Sharif Osman Hadi was critically injured after being shot during an election campaign in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area on Friday afternoon. He was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where he remains on life support and is undergoing emergency surgery, according to hospital director Brigadier General Md Asaduzzaman.

Police said the attack occurred around 2:22 p.m. near the DR Tower in Paltan when three assailants on motorcycles opened fire, hitting Hadi below his left ear. His aides transported him to the hospital as he suffered severe blood loss, prompting an urgent search for B-negative blood donors. Hadi, a former student leader known for his role in the July uprising, had earlier reported receiving multiple death threats from domestic and international numbers.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the shooting, which has heightened security concerns ahead of the upcoming national elections. Political observers warn that the incident underscores rising tensions and potential risks for independent candidates in the current electoral climate.

National Citizens Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam visited Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Friday afternoon to check on the condition of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Mancha, who was shot earlier in the day. Hadi, also an independent candidate for Dhaka-8, was attacked around 2:22 p.m. near DR Tower in Paltan while campaigning. Police reported that three motorcycles approached the area, and one assailant fired at Hadi before fleeing.

NCP leaders Hasnat Abdullah and Dr. Tasnim Jara also visited the hospital, while BNP leader Mirza Abbas, Hadi’s electoral rival, arrived earlier. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman both expressed deep concern, condemning political violence and calling for a transparent investigation. Authorities confirmed Hadi remains under treatment at the hospital’s emergency unit.

The incident has heightened tensions ahead of the election, prompting calls for stronger security measures for candidates and fair investigation into politically motivated attacks.