Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus said that the attack on Inquilab Mancha spokesperson and potential independent candidate for Dhaka-8 constituency Sharif Osman Hadi was one of the most concerning incidents during the tenure of the interim government.

“The attack was a deliberate blow on Bangladesh’s democratic journey through which the defeated forces had shown the audacity to challenge the nation’s very existence,” he said while speaking at an emergency meeting with several members of the Advisory Council and key officials from law enforcement and security agencies at the state guesthouse Jamuna on Friday (12 December).

“We will foil such attempts at any cost. Attacks of this nature on the nation will not be tolerated,” the Chief Adviser stated.

Those present at the meeting included Law Adviser Asif Nazrul; Home Affairs Adviser Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury; Information and Broadcasting Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan; Energy Adviser Muhammad Faozul Kabir Khan; Local Government Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan; Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki; National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman; the Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant for the Ministry of Home Affairs Md Khoda Bakhsh Chowdhury; Special Assistant for the Ministry of Health Md Sayedur Rahman; Special Assistant for Posts, Telecommunications and ICT Foyez Ahmad Tayyeb; along with senior officials from the police, armed forces and intelligence agencies.

Dr Yunus warned that the attack was part of a plot to undermine the national election and the referendum, adding that: “We will not allow such conspiracies to succeed under any circumstances. No matter the threats or turbulence, no force will be able to derail the upcoming election.”

He added: “Together with the people, we will ensure a peaceful election through our collective effort.”

At the meeting, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser for the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Professor Dr Md Sayedur Rahman reported that Osman Hadi’s condition was very critical. At his family’s request, he has already been transferred to Evercare Hospital.

The Chief Adviser said: “Those responsible for the attack and its mastermind must be arrested as quickly as possible, no matter what it takes.” He urged the nation to pray for Osman Hadi’s swift recovery.

Police officials stated that CCTV footage and other evidence from the scene had already been collected.

Directing authorities to take immediate measures along the border, the Chief Adviser said: “It must be ensured that the attackers cannot leave the country under any circumstances.”

He also said that the security of individuals who may have become potential targets due to their involvement in the July uprising must be taken into consideration.

The meeting decided that a special hotline number would be launched in the coming days to report any unwanted incidents during the election period and to enable rapid response.

It was also decided to intensify operations to recover illegal weapons and search locations where suspects might be hiding. The Chief Adviser will soon hold discussions with key political figures regarding the evolving situation.