In a recent development surrounding the high-profile killing of Bangladeshi student leader Sharif Osman Hadi, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) claimed that two primary suspects had fled Bangladesh and crossed into India via the Haluaghat border in Mymensingh city, allegedly reaching Meghalaya with the assistance of local contacts. However, both the Meghalaya Police and the Border Security Force (BSF), Meghalaya Frontier, have categorically dismissed these claims, terming them false and misleading.

The Allegation by Dhaka Police

During a press briefing at the DMP media centre, Additional Commissioner SN Nazrul Islam stated that the suspects, identified as Faisal Karim Masud and Alamgir Sheikh, had crossed into India through the Haluaghat border and were allegedly assisted by local associates in Meghalaya. According to the Dhaka police, after entering India, the suspects were first received by an individual named Purti and subsequently transported to Tura city in Meghalaya by a taxi driver, Sami.

Nazrul further claimed that the two facilitators who allegedly aided the suspects had been detained in India, and that the DMP was maintaining communication with Indian authorities to ensure the suspects’ arrest and extradition.

Meghalaya Police and BSF Deny Claims

Contradicting the DMP’s statements, a senior official from Meghalaya Police headquarters clarified that no communication—formal or informal—had been received from Bangladesh regarding the suspects’ entry. “None of the accused named in the report have been traced in Garo Hills, and no arrests have been made,” the official said.

Echoing this, IG OP Upadhayay of the BSF Meghalaya Frontier stated, “There is no evidence whatsoever of these individuals crossing the international border from the Haluaghat sector into Meghalaya. No such incident has been detected or reported by the BSF. These claims are baseless and misleading.”

Officials pointed out that such false narratives from sections of the Bangladeshi media have previously created confusion among citizens and risked disturbing the peace in the sensitive border state. Meghalaya Police confirmed that border vigilance has been stepped up as a standard precautionary measure, with intelligence sources activated and close coordination maintained with the BSF to prevent any potential misuse of the border by criminal elements.

Who Was Osman Hadi?

Sharif Osman Hadi, a student leader affiliated with the Inqilab Manch, was shot in the head on December 12 during an election campaign in central Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area. He was later flown to Singapore for treatment but succumbed to his injuries on December 18, 2025. Hadi was also an independent candidate preparing to contest the February elections from Dhaka-8 constituency.

Inqilab Manch, known for its opposition to Sheikh Hasina’s government, had gained prominence during the July uprising in Bangladesh last year, which ultimately led to Hasina’s removal. Following Hadi’s shooting, large-scale protests and violence erupted across the country, with the party warning the interim government of further agitation if justice was not ensured.

The Controversy Over Cross-Border Movement

The DMP’s claim that the suspects fled to India has stirred controversy given the sensitive nature of the India-Bangladesh border, which routinely faces issues of infiltration, cross-border crime, and misinformation. Meghalaya, sharing a porous boundary with Bangladesh, has often been a focus of intelligence and border management operations. Both Meghalaya Police and BSF emphasized that no verified evidence supports the allegations and urged the public and media to rely only on information confirmed through formal channels.

Officials stressed that while enhanced security measures were in place as a precaution, they should not be misinterpreted as confirmation of any alleged crossing. Both agencies reiterated their willingness to cooperate with Bangladeshi authorities but made it clear that action would only be taken based on verified intelligence.

Summary

• Incident: Bangladeshi student leader Sharif Osman Hadi shot during election campaign; died on Dec 18, 2025.
• Dhaka Police Claim: Suspects Faisal Karim Masud and Alamgir Sheikh fled to Meghalaya with help from local contacts.
• Meghalaya Police/BSF Response: Claims are false; no suspects traced or arrested; no evidence of cross-border entry.
• Precautionary Measures: Border vigilance increased; intelligence and coordination with BSF activated.
• Impact: Highlights ongoing tension over misinformation and cross-border security along the India-Bangladesh border.

This episode underscores the fragility of narratives in cross-border criminal cases and the necessity for verification before drawing conclusions about sensitive security matters.