Bangladesh unrest: Indian diplomatic premises attacked, media offices targeted after Hadi’s death | Watch

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Stones were hurled at the Indian Assistant High Commission in Chattogram on Thursday as Bangladesh witnessed fresh waves of unrest following the death of anti-India activist Sharif Osman Hadi. The protests also spilled over to the residence of India’s Deputy High Commissioner, where demonstrators targeted the property amid rising tensions.

Hadi, a prominent figure in the 2024 agitation against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, died after spending nearly a week in critical condition. He had been shot in the head during a campaign event in Dhaka on December 12 and was later airlifted to Singapore for specialised treatment. Despite medical efforts, he succumbed to his injuries, triggering widespread anger across the country.

VIDEO | Dhaka, Bangladesh: Protesters vandalised the office of the country's largest newspaper, Daily Prothom Alo, amid widespread outrage over the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson for the political platform Inquilab Mancha.

(Full video available on PTI Videos –… pic.twitter.com/6klEh8xj4U — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 18, 2025

The violence quickly escalated, with protesters attacking offices of the Awami League and demanding the return of Sheikh Hasina, who has been living in India since her ouster last year. Authorities reported incidents of arson and vandalism across multiple cities, including Dhaka, Chattogram, and Rajshahi, prompting heightened security deployment.

Several media establishments were also targeted, with offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star set ablaze in the capital. Rescue operations were launched after journalists were reported trapped inside burning buildings, police and local media said.

Videos circulating on social media showed groups throwing stones near diplomatic premises, with smoke visible in surrounding areas. Police confirmed multiple incidents of arson, including attacks on Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s residence at Dhanmondi 32 and the Chhayanaut Sanskriti Bhaban, as security forces moved in to prevent further escalation.