Tight security measures have been put in place across Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) ahead of the arrival of the body of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi, a frontline fighter of the July mass uprising and spokesperson of Inqilab Mancha.

A visit to HSIA around 5:00pm on Friday showed heightened security across the entire airport area. Members of the Bangladesh Army were deployed at every entry point of both the domestic and international terminals from the main road, while security personnel were also seen patrolling all internal roads within the airport premises.

In addition, members of the Bangladesh Air Force and the Armed Forces Battalion (AFB) were stationed on strict duty at the VIP gate. 

The body of Osman Hadi is scheduled to be taken out through Gate No. 8 of the airport, where army personnel, AFB members, and police were also deployed in large numbers.

Osman Hadi’s body is being brought to Dhaka on Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG 585, which landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at around 5:50pm.

Hadi passed away at around 9:45pm on Thursday (December 18) while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Singapore.

His first janaza (funeral prayer) was held at 10:00am today at the historic Angullia Mosque in Singapore. His second janaza will be held in Bangladesh on Saturday (December 20) after Zuhr prayers at Manik Mia Avenue in the capital. Inqilab Mancha has called on people from all walks of life to attend the funeral prayer.

It may be recalled that on December 12, Osman Hadi sustained a critical head injury after being shot by assailants while campaigning in Old Paltan in the capital. After receiving initial treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital and Evercare Hospital, he was airlifted to Singapore on Monday (December 15) for advanced medical treatment, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

The chief adviser of the interim government, Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, has expressed deep sorrow over Osman Hadi’s death. A one-day state mourning has been declared across the country on Saturday (December 20).