Ex-Bangladesh Air Force officer who shared Sheikh Hasina's escape video found dead
A former Bangladesh Air Force officer, who allegedly shared a video showing ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina leaving the country in August 2024, has been found dead in the Turag River in Dhaka, triggering allegations of foul play from his family.
The body of KM Tahsif Souri, 28, was recovered on October 28, a day after he went missing. River police found him near Rajabari Ghat in the Uttarkhan area after receiving a call through Bangladesh's national emergency helpline at around 4:30 pm.
Tahsif was reportedly wearing a black shirt and white trousers when his body was recovered.
His remains were sent to Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital in Dhaka for an autopsy. Police have not yet established the circumstances surrounding his death.
Family alleges murder over Sheikh Hasina video
Tahsif's death has sparked concerns over his safety, with family members alleging that he had faced persistent harassment over the video of Sheikh Hasina leaving Bangladesh during the political upheaval of August 2024.
His cousin, Moshfeka Jahan, alleged in a Bengali-language Facebook post that Tahsif had been murdered because of the video.
"My brother was murdered. What was his fault? Sharing the video of Hasina fleeing?" she wrote, claiming that he had shared the footage as an ordinary citizen rather than recording it himself.
Jahan further alleged that Tahsif had been subjected to repeated harassment and mental distress even after being forced out of service.
The allegations have not been independently established, and police have yet to confirm any link between the video and his death.
Went missing after meeting a friend
According to a report by Bangladesh-based newspaper Prothom Alo, Tahsif had spent the day shopping with his mother before receiving a call from a close friend in the evening.
He subsequently left home, but repeated attempts by his family to contact him went unanswered.
At around 1:35 am, Tahsif reportedly sent his mother a text message saying he was on his way home. However, he never returned.
His father, Enayetul Karim, told Prothom Alo that his son had no apparent reason to visit the area where his body was eventually discovered.
The friend who accompanied Tahsif reportedly told the family that they had dinner together on Tuesday night and that he dropped Tahsif near his home before returning to his own residence.
Tahsif was initially recovered as an unidentified person. His identity was subsequently established through an iPhone found in his pocket, along with a wristwatch.
Dismissed after espionage allegations
Tahsif's death has also revived questions about the circumstances surrounding his departure from the Bangladesh Air Force.
In August 2025, the newspaper Amar Desh, described in the report as affiliated with Jamaat-e-Islami, allegedly published a report accusing him of being an agent of India's external intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW).
The allegations were followed by his dismissal from service and the reported seizure of his passport for two years.
A few months before his death, Tahsif appeared on a podcast in which he spoke critically about the newspaper, although he suggested that there was more to the matter that he was unwilling to disclose.
Podcast appearance raises further questions
On July 21, a YouTube channel named Speak With Rashid released an episode titled Milestone Tragedy: Inside the Bangladesh Air Force. Tahsif discussed the incident and answered questions, including those concerning the leaked footage of Hasina's departure.
During the conversation, he spoke about ambition, sacrifice and patriotism, saying that there could be no greater pride than dying for a noble cause or a greater cause than dying for one's country.
His appearance has drawn renewed attention following his death, although no evidence has yet established a connection between his remarks and the circumstances in which he died.
Investigation awaits autopsy findings
The recovery of Tahsif's body has prompted questions about his final hours and the allegations of harassment made by his relatives.
The autopsy is expected to help determine the cause of death.
Until the findings are available and investigators establish the circumstances, the family's claims of murder remain allegations rather than confirmed conclusions.
Tahsif's death comes amid continuing political tensions in Bangladesh following Hasina's ouster in August 2024 and her subsequent exile in India.
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