Indian envoy summoned after pre-poll shooting in Dhaka: Why Bangladesh dragged New Delhi into the crisis

An activist holds a poster of Sharif Osman Hadi, senior leader of the student protest group Inqilab Mancha, who was shot outside a mosque, during a demonstration to condemn the attack in Dhaka on December 15, 2025. (Photo by Munir UZ ZAMAN / AFP)

A shooting in the heart of Dhaka has once again exposed the deep instability gripping Bangladesh under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, even as the country heads towards elections amid rising violence and political chaos.

On Friday, Sharif Osman Hadi, a parliamentary candidate and a vocal critic of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, was shot in broad daylight in central Dhaka. The incident has rattled the Yunus administration, coming just a day after the Election Commission announced the poll schedule. Instead of focusing squarely on restoring internal law and order, Dhaka has chosen to escalate tensions with India by summoning the Indian High Commissioner, despite admitting it has no verified evidence of cross-border involvement.

What happened in Dhaka

Hadi, a member of the anti-Hasina platform Inqilab Manch, was campaigning in the Bijoynagar area when three motorcycle-borne assailants opened fire and fled the scene.

“Osman Hadi was shot at 2:25 pm in front of DR Tower on Box Culvert Road at Bijoynagar. We have initially learned that three assailants on a motorcycle shot him and fled,” a Dhaka Metropolitan Police spokesperson said.

Hadi was rushed to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital and remains in critical condition.

“His condition is critical. He has been provided life support. The bullet remains lodged inside his head,” DMCH director Brigadier Mohammad Asaduzzaman told Prothom Alo.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus called the shooting unacceptable but has struggled to project control as violence escalates across the capital.

“Such a violent attack in an election environment is completely unacceptable and a deeply regrettable incident for the country’s peaceful political atmosphere,” Yunus said, according to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha.

Dhaka drags India into the crisis

Despite police admitting they had no proof that the attackers fled Bangladesh, the Yunus government summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma on Sunday.

“The Ministry sought India’s cooperation in preventing the escape of the suspects involved in the attempted assassination of Sharif Osman Hadi and, should they enter India, to ensure their immediate apprehension and extradition,” Bangladesh’s foreign ministry said.

This move followed unverified allegations posted on Facebook by Qatar-based journalist Zulkarnain Saer, who claimed the attackers had crossed into Assam.

“There is no verified evidence that the attackers have crossed into India,” Dhaka Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Talebur Rahman told Jagonews24.

“At this stage, we have no confirmed information indicating any suspect has left the country,” he added.

Despite this, Dhaka acted on social media claims rather than confirmed intelligence, underlining the reactive and politically driven nature of its response.

Renewed attack on Sheikh Hasina

During the meeting, Bangladesh again raised “serious concern” over statements made by Sheikh Hasina from India and demanded her extradition.

“The Government of Bangladesh conveyed its concern over allowing fugitive Sheikh Hasina to make statements inciting supporters to engage in terrorist activities aimed at undermining the upcoming parliamentary elections,” the foreign ministry said.

Hasina has rejected the charges and criticised the exclusion of the Awami League from the polls.

“You cannot disenfranchise millions of people if you want a political system that works,” she said recently.

Dhaka also accused Awami League leaders based in India of planning violence, claims New Delhi has firmly rejected.

India’s sharp rebuttal

India hit back strongly, dismissing Bangladesh’s allegations. The Ministry of External Affairs said it “categorically rejects” claims that Indian territory is being used for activities against Bangladesh.

“We expect the interim government of Bangladesh to take all necessary measures to ensure internal law and order, including for the purpose of holding peaceful elections,” the MEA said, while stressing support for “free, fair, inclusive and credible elections”.

With Dhaka struggling to contain violence, crude bomb blasts and political killings already haunting the capital, the attempt to shift blame onto India appears less about facts and more about deflecting attention from a rapidly deteriorating domestic situation.