Yet to trace Hadi murder suspect Faisal, say police; no 'specific information' on him having left the country

Police today (21 December) said they have no specific information about the whereabouts of Faisal Karim Masud, the prime suspect in the killing of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Bin Hadi.

Speaking at an emergency press conference at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Additional Inspector General of Police (IGP) Khandaker Rafiqul Islam said law enforcement agencies are actively trying to locate Faisal.

"We do not have specific information about Faisal's last location. Our forces and intelligence agencies are working to obtain it," he said. "However, we have not received any reliable information indicating that he has left the country."

He also cautioned that suspects often spread misinformation. "Sometimes criminals spread false rumours about their location," he added.

Regarding possible political involvement, Rafiqul Islam said no concrete evidence has yet emerged. "We have not received any specific information about the involvement of any political party in this murder. However, efforts are underway to gather accurate data," he said.

Detective Branch (DB) chief Shafiqul Islam said investigators are looking into the case with utmost seriousness.

"Initially, the murder appears to be politically motivated, as there does not seem to be any personal motive," he said.

He mentioned that the law enforcers have been on the ground since the beginning of the incident, and all agencies are working in coordination. "We are examining all possible angles."

Osman Hadi, also a prospective candidate for Dhaka-8, was shot in the head on 12 December while travelling in a rickshaw on Culvert Road in the capital's Paltan area.

For advanced treatment, he was airlifted to Singapore, where he succumbed to his injuries on the night of 18 December.

Later, he was laid to rest beside the grave of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam near the Dhaka University Central Mosque at around 3:30pm yesterday.