Dhaka: Violence erupted in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka on Friday morning following the death of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi. Hadi, who had been seriously injured in an assassination attempt last week, succumbed to his injuries at a hospital in Singapore on Thursday. His death sparked widespread protests across the city.
Thousands of protesters took to the streets demanding the immediate arrest of the attackers. During the demonstrations, offices of the Awami League and two major newspapers, The Daily Star and Prothom Alo, were set on fire. Staff members were reportedly trapped inside the buildings amid the chaos.
Sharif Osman Hadi had been a prominent student leader who played a significant role in opposing the government led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Known for his vocal criticism of India in many of his speeches, Hadi had also contested the February 2026 general elections in Bangladesh.
The attack on Hadi occurred last week when he was leaving a mosque after prayers. He was shot at and later transported to Singapore for treatment. Despite medical efforts, he passed away, triggering violent protests across Dhaka.
Authorities reported that at least three buildings were set ablaze during the unrest. Firefighters and civil defense teams intervened, bringing the fire at The Daily Star under control around 1:40 AM, though 27 staff members remained trapped inside.
Protesters also attempted to storm the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, but police used tear gas to disperse the crowd. Key roads were blocked, and the Chhaynat cultural center was attacked.
Muhammad Yunus, chief adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, condemned the violence, stating that Hadi’s death is a significant loss for the country and reaffirmed that democracy cannot be stopped through fear or bloodshed.
The government has announced special prayers in mosques on Friday and a half-day mourning on Saturday. Police have launched a massive manhunt for the attackers and released images of two main suspects, offering a reward of 5 million taka (approx. $42,000) for information leading to their arrest.
