Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent youth leader linked to Bangladesh’s 2024 student-led uprising, has died in Singapore after suffering critical injuries in an assassination attempt earlier this month. Hadi, 32, was shot by masked men in Dhaka on December 12 and was later airlifted abroad for specialised medical treatment. Despite extensive medical care, Hadi passed away on Thursday at Singapore General Hospital.
Shot near mosque in Dhaka
The attack occurred near a mosque in the Paltan area of central Dhaka. According to reports, Hadi was travelling in a battery-powered auto-rickshaw on Culvert Road when assailants opened fire, shooting him in the head. He sustained severe injuries that reportedly resulted in brain damage.
Following emergency treatment in Bangladesh, Hadi was flown to Singapore on December 15 and admitted to the Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit at Singapore General Hospital.
Who was Sharif Osman Hadi?
Sharif Osman Hadi was born in 1994 in Nalchity Upazila of Jhalokhati district. Commonly known as Osman Hadi, he emerged as a prominent political activist during Bangladesh’s recent period of unrest. He was the convener of Inqilab Mancha, a platform that gained visibility during the student-led protests that eventually led to the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
Hadi was preparing to contest the 2026 parliamentary elections, scheduled for February, as an independent candidate. These polls will be the first national elections since last year’s political upheaval.
He was known for his strong opposition to the Awami League and was a vocal critic of Sheikh Hasina. Reports have also described Hadi as holding an anti-India stance and frequently expressing dissent against existing political structures. In recent months, he had also criticised the interim political arrangement led by Muhammad Yunus and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party.
Singapore confirmed death
Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed Hadi’s death in an official statement. The ministry said that despite the best efforts of doctors, Hadi succumbed to his injuries. It also stated that Singapore authorities are assisting Bangladeshi officials with arrangements to repatriate his body.
Political impact of his death
Hadi’s killing has intensified political tensions across Bangladesh, particularly among student groups and young activists who viewed him as a key figure of the protest movement. His death has raised concerns about political violence ahead of the upcoming elections, as authorities continue to investigate the attack.
