India’s West Bengal Police Special Task Force (STF) has arrested the prime accused and his alleged associate in the murder of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Bin Hadi from the border area of Bongaon in West Bengal.

The arrestees were identified as Faisal Karim Masud, 37, a resident of Patuakhali, and Alamgir Hossain, 34, from Dhaka.

According to Indian media reports quoting the STF, the arrests were made early Sunday following intelligence information that two Bangladeshi nationals involved in serious crimes, including murder and extortion, had fled Bangladesh and entered India illegally.

During preliminary interrogation, it was revealed that Faisal Karim Masud, also known as Rahul, along with Alamgir Hossain, allegedly killed Osman Hadi, a political activist in Bangladesh, and later fled the country.

They reportedly entered India illegally through the Meghalaya border and moved through different locations before reaching Bongaon in West Bengal with the intention of crossing back into Bangladesh.

A case has been registered in India in this connection. The suspects were produced before a court on Sunday and remanded in police custody.

Further investigation is underway.

Hadi was shot on December 12 at Box Culvert Road under Paltan Model Police Station in Dhaka.

He was initially taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, later to Evercare Hospital, and eventually flown to Singapore. Hadi died on the night of December 18 while undergoing treatment at Singapore General Hospital.

Following the incident, Abdullah Al Jaber,  Member Secretary of Inqilab Moncho, filed a case of attempted murder with Paltan Police Station on December 14, which was later converted into a murder case.