India, Bangladesh army chiefs in direct contact as unrest escalates after Hadi’s killing: Report

India, Bangladesh army chiefs in direct contact as unrest escalates after Hadi’s killing

The army chiefs of India and Bangladesh are in direct communication to maintain stability amid the latest surge of violence in the neighbouring country, CNN-News18 reported.

Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman has assured his Indian counterpart that all Indian assets in Bangladesh remain secure, signalling Dhaka’s intent to uphold safety despite rising tensions on the ground.

According to the report, the two militaries remain in constant contact as unrest escalates following the death of hardline anti-India leader Sharif Osman Hadi. Indian officials view the ongoing coordination as a critical reassurance at a time of heightened volatility.

Hadi, a prominent figure associated with last year’s July uprising, died at a hospital in Singapore on Thursday, a week after being shot by masked assailants in Dhaka. His death has triggered nationwide protests, with several radical groups targeting media houses and cultural institutions.

In Dhaka, the offices of leading newspapers Prothom Alo and The Daily Star were set on fire, while the premises of left-leaning cultural organisation Udichi Shilpigoshthi were vandalised. The unrest has raised serious concerns over Bangladesh’s internal security situation.

Reports have also indicated attempts to target the Indian High Commission and Indian officials amid the protests, prompting diplomatic intervention from New Delhi.

India recently summoned Bangladesh’s High Commissioner in New Delhi, Muhammad Riaz Hamidullah, to lodge a formal protest over threats to its mission in Dhaka and inflammatory anti-India rhetoric by Bangladeshi political figures.

The Ministry of External Affairs said India expects the interim government in Bangladesh to ensure the safety of Indian missions and personnel in line with international diplomatic obligations, reiterating that New Delhi supports peace and stability in the country.

Ties between the two neighbours have come under strain since the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus took office following the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s administration. India has repeatedly expressed concern over attacks on minorities, particularly Hindus, during the ongoing unrest.

Earlier, Bangladesh’s foreign ministry summoned Indian High Commissioner to Dhaka, Pranay Verma, to convey concerns over former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s “incendiary” statements made from Indian territory.

In response, New Delhi asserted that it has never allowed its soil to be used for activities inimical to Bangladesh’s interests.