Taken to DMCH ICU, police says

Sharif Osman Hadi, an independent MP candidate from the Dhaka-8 constituency and spokesperson for Inqilab Moncho, was shot and critically injured in the Paltan area this noon.

Md Faruk, in-charge of the Dhaka Medical College Hospital's (DMCH) police outpost, confirmed the incident to The Daily Star, saying that Hadi is now receiving treatment in the hospital's ICU.

The incident occurred between DR Tower and Baitus Salam Jame Mosque.

Husain Muhammad Farabi, assistant commissioner (AC) of Motijheel Zone, said that Hadi was shot in front of DR Tower, Bijoynagar Box Culvert Road around 2:25pm.

Sakib Hossen, a security guard at DR Tower, told The Daily Star that he was inside the building when the incident happened.

"After hearing the sound, I rushed to the road, and saw a rickshaw carrying him (Hadi) away. Blood was dripping on the street," he said.

In a Facebook post at 11:52 am today, Hadi wrote, "Since I don't have any posters or festoons in Dhaka-8, there's no pressure of them being torn down either. Jumma Mubarak from in front of the ACC."

Photo: Palash Khan/ Star

Hadi announced his candidacy in a Facebook post on September 14.

His platform -- Inqilab Moncho -- was formed on August 13 last year.