Multiple high-level security and intelligence sources say that Chhatra League leader Faisal Karim and his aide Alamgir Sheikh fled Bangladesh after the murder of Sharif Osman Hadi, first taking refuge in West Bengal, India, and later relocating to Mumbai to avoid detection. Intelligence officials believe Mumbai is a preferred hideout due to its size, political links, financial networks, and ease of identity concealment. In this context, claims that Faisal fled to Dubai are considered misleading.
On December 28, West Bengal’s Special Task Force (STF) arrested five Bangladeshi nationals accused of providing logistical support to help the suspects escape and hide. Those detained include Masudur Rahman Biplob (PA of fugitive Awami League leader Jahangir Kabir Nanak), Taijul Islam Chowdhury alias Bappi (a Hadi murder suspect), Chhatra League leaders Rakibul Islam and Rubel, and human trafficker Phillips. Investigators believe interrogating them could reveal Faisal and Alamgir’s location and identify the masterminds behind the murder.
Despite a formal request by the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata for their handover, Indian authorities have neither extradited the detainees nor shared clear details of their arrest.
Intelligence documents describe the Hadi killing as a carefully planned assassination involving surveillance, coordination, and staged contact. The operation began on December 4, when Faisal made initial contact with Hadi at the Inqilab Cultural Center. Faisal later returned with Alamgir, infiltrated Hadi’s election campaign, and finalized the plan after close involvement. Following reconnaissance in multiple areas, Hadi was tracked on December 12 and shot dead at close range on Box Culvert Road, Paltan, at 2:24 pm.
