Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Friday expressed deep concern over the shooting of Sharif Osman Hadi, an independent candidate for Dhaka-8 and spokesperson of Inquilab Mancha.

The party called on the government to investigate whether the attack was part of a “planned conspiracy by fallen fascist forces” aimed at derailing the upcoming national election.

In a statement, Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar said the attack raised serious questions about election-time security. 

“A candidate and a July fighter being shot in broad daylight immediately after the election schedule was announced clearly reflects an attempt to create fear,” he said.

He urged law enforcement agencies to urgently identify and arrest the attackers, review CCTV footage from the incident site, and ensure the safety of all candidates, political activists and citizens in the lead-up to the 13th national election.

Parwar said Hadi had earlier written on social media that he received death threats from 30 foreign phone numbers, along with threats of rape against his mother, sister and wife. 

“It is evident to the nation that the administration has failed to ensure his security. This is a grave dereliction of duty,” he said.

Calling the attack a blow to the country’s peaceful political environment and democratic process, he urged authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice swiftly. 

He also wished Osman Hadi a speedy recovery and expressed solidarity with his family and colleagues.

Dhaka-8 candidate Osman Hadi suffers bullet injuries during electioneering

Hadi suffered bullet injuries during an election campaign on Friday afternoon.

He was shot by miscreants around 2:30pm while campaigning, said Inspector Md Faruk, in charge of the police camp at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). 

He was later taken to DMCH for treatment.