Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesman of the Inquilab Mancha who is running as an independent candidate for Dhaka-8 at the 13th parliamentary election, remains in critical condition after being shot from close range in Bijoynagar, Dhaka soon after Jumma prayers on Friday.

Hadi was immediately taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), where he underwent emergency neurosurgery. In the evening, he was transferred to Evercare Hospital for advanced ICU support.

Dr. Zahid Raihan, Head of the Neurosurgery Department at DMCH, told reporters on Friday evening that Hadi’s condition is extremely critical.

“The bullet entered above his left ear and exited through the right side of his head, causing massive brain injury. His skull has been left open, and he is on artificial ventilation,” he said.

Dr. Raihan added that the bullet’s path affected the brain stem and that although Hadi is not entirely unresponsive, the situation is extremely critical.

He further explained that the portion of the skull where the bullet exited was removed to relieve brain pressure, and accumulated blood and fluid inside the skull were drained. Due to continuous pressure changes and internal bleeding, Hadi’s condition fluctuates. ENT surgeons managed heavy bleeding from his nose and throat, and he remains on artificial respiration, though he still has some spontaneous breathing.

Md Sayedur Rahman, Special Assistant to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, said Hadi had a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of just 3 when brought to DMCH and experienced cardiac arrest once. He added that the next 72 hours will be critical, and no definitive prognosis can be given at this stage.

Doctors noted that heavy bleeding from Hadi’s nose and throat occurred later in the evening and was managed.

Dhaka Medical College Hospital Director Brigadier General Md Asaduzzaman told reporters that after his surgery, Hadi was taken to Evercare Hospital for advanced treatment around 7:30pm.

Doctors reiterated that Hadi’s skull was opened on the left side due to severe brain damage and measures were taken to reduce intracranial pressure. They called for public prayers to support his recovery, emphasizing that life-saving efforts continue amid extremely critical circumstances.

According to initial reports, unidentified assailants opened fire on Hadi around 2:25pm on Kalvert Road in Bijoynagar, moments after he began election campaigning following Friday prayers.

Witnesses said, and CCTV footage from the area circulating on social media showed, Hadi and his friend were on a rickshaw when his attackers pulled up beside him on a black motorcycle, fired one shot at him from close range, and fled immediately.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Media and Public Relations Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Talebur Rahman confirmed the sequence of events, saying efforts are underway to identify the gunmen.

The attack has drawn strong condemnation from Chief Adviser of the interim government, Prof Muhammad Yunus, who expressed deep concern and instructed law enforcement agencies to launch a swift and thorough investigation. He ordered that all individuals involved in the attack be identified and brought to justice without delay.

Hadi, covered in blood, was rushed to the hospital on a rickshaw by his companions, hospital sources said.