Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, a prominent leader of Bangladesh’s 2024 student-led uprising, has died in a Singapore hospital after being shot in an assassination attempt in Dhaka. Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Hadi succumbed to his injuries on Thursday.

Assassination Attempt

Hadi, 32, was shot in the head on December 12 while traveling in a battery-powered auto-rickshaw in Dhaka. The assailant fired from a motorcycle. Local doctors at Dhaka Medical College Hospital treated him initially, but damage to his brain stem required transfer to Singapore General Hospital on December 15 for intensive neurosurgical care.

Hadi was considered a potential candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency in Bangladesh’s national elections next February.

Political and Activist Role

A senior figure in the student protest group Inqilab Mancha, Hadi had been an outspoken critic of India and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who remains in self-imposed exile following the 2024 uprising. In a Facebook statement, Inqilab Mancha declared Hadi a martyr in the struggle against Indian hegemony.

Investigation Underway

Bangladesh police have released photos of two main suspects and offered a reward of five million taka (~$42,000) for information leading to arrests. So far, at least 20 people have been detained in connection with the attack, with investigations ongoing.

National Reaction and Mourning

Condolences have poured in from political leaders and parties across the country. Interim government head Muhammad Yunus called Hadi’s death an “irreparable loss for the nation” and announced special prayers at mosques, as well as a half-day mourning on Saturday. The Bangladesh National Party (BNP) and National Citizen Party (NCP) also expressed deep sorrow and condolences to Hadi’s family.

Protests Erupt Across Bangladesh

Following news of Hadi’s death, hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Dhaka and other regions. Demonstrators stormed the offices of major newspapers, including Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, with footage showing fires set inside the latter. Soldiers and paramilitary forces were deployed but did not intervene.

Yunus described the shooting as a premeditated attack by a powerful network, aimed at derailing the upcoming elections and demonstrating the attackers’ strength.