Bangladesh Police Clarify Shooter Faisal’s Status Amid Speculation of Escape to India; Yunus Government’s New Accusation

DHAKA: Violence continues to grip Bangladesh following the death of young student leader Sharif Usman Hadi. Large-scale unrest, vandalism, and arson have been reported across Dhaka and other major cities.

Speculation that the alleged shooter, Faisal Karim, has fled the country to India has been circulating on social media. Senior Bangladeshi police officials have clarified that there is no confirmed information regarding Faisal leaving the country. Meanwhile, the Yunus government attempted to blame the Indian authorities for alleged lapses in security at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi.

Police Investigations Ongoing

At a Sunday briefing at Police Headquarters, Additional Inspector General of Police (Crime & Operations) Khondkar Rafiqul Islam stated that police have yet to obtain reliable information confirming that Faisal Karim Masud, suspected in the murder of Sharif Usman Hadi, has left Bangladesh.

“Faisal’s last known location is still unknown. Our forces and agencies are actively gathering information, but no credible confirmation has been received that he has fled the country,” Rafiqul Islam said. “Often, false information about suspects’ whereabouts circulates, and these rumors could be part of that pattern.”

When asked about any political party involvement in Hadi’s murder, Rafiqul Islam said that no evidence has yet been found implicating any political party. Multiple police teams have been formed to apprehend the suspects.

Foreign Ministry Responds

The Bangladeshi Foreign Ministry also responded to reports of a crowd gathering at the Bangladesh High Commission residence in New Delhi on 20 December. The ministry called the incident “very regrettable” and clarified that security at the mission was not compromised, countering media reports suggesting otherwise.

Continued Violence in Bangladesh

The unrest following Hadi’s death has led to multiple violent incidents across the country. In a particularly gruesome case, Hindu youth Dipu Das was lynched by a mob, highlighting the extreme severity of the current situation in Bangladesh.