The West Bengal Police’s Special Task Force has apprehended a Bangladeshi man in connection with the assassination of Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent political activist shot in Dhaka in December 2025. The arrested individual, identified as Philip Sangma, is believed to be a crucial intermediary who facilitated illegal border crossings.

Arrest During Pre-Dawn Operation

This arrest follows the interrogation of two primary suspects linked to Hadi’s murder, named Faisal and Alamgir. During their questioning, the suspects disclosed that they had illegally entered India from Bangladesh via the Meghalaya border with Sangma’s assistance. Sangma is reported to be a resident of Haluaghat, Bangladesh.

Link to Main Murder Suspects

In response to an intelligence tip-off, commandos from the West Bengal Police conducted a pre-dawn operation on Saturday near the Shantipur Bypass area, resulting in Sangma’s detention. Initial interrogations indicated that Sangma was orchestrating a cross-border trafficking operation that facilitated the movement of individuals between Haluaghat and Dalupara in Meghalaya for monetary gain, according to police sources.

Cross-Border Trafficking Network Under Probe

Sangma reportedly acknowledged aiding Faisal and Alamgir in their infiltration into Indian territory using forested pathways in Meghalaya. Investigators stated that he subsequently crossed into India himself to evade increased scrutiny from Bangladeshi authorities. At the time of his capture, Sangma was allegedly coordinating plans for the illegal return of Faisal and Alamgir to Bangladesh.

Court Appearance and Police Custody

Following his arrest, Philip Sangma was produced before a local court on Saturday. The Special Task Force has been granted police custody to further investigate the breadth of the trafficking network and its potential connections to other criminal activities. Investigators believe that Sangma’s statements will be instrumental in reconstructing the events surrounding the high-profile murder case.

Background of the Murder Case

Osman Hadi was known as a key student leader in Bangladesh and played a significant role in the anti-government movement against Sheikh Hasina in 2024, which ultimately contributed to her removal from power. On December 12, 2025, Hadi was fatally shot in the head by assailants on a motorcycle in Dhaka. Authorities in Dhaka reported that the attackers fled the scene and subsequently crossed into India.

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